Chinese leader Xi Jinping set to meet Serbian officials on the second leg of his Europe tour

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to meet Wednesday with Serbian officials and said he hopes his visit will further boost already friendly relations with the Balkan country, which is seeking entry to the European Union.

Xi arrived in Serbia to a warm welcome on Tuesday evening from France, where he had a high-stakes state visit dominated by trade disputes and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Xi will proceed to Hungary later on Wednesday, which, like Serbia, is seen as one of China’s more friendly partners in Europe.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and other top officials welcomed Xi at the airport on Tuesday after his plane was escorted by military jets. Vucic said Xi’s visit was a “great honor” and that China is an “inspiration” for Serbia.

Signs of pro-China sentiments were clearly visible — a huge Chinese flag was placed on a skyscraper along a roadway leading into the city from the airport. Smaller Chinese and Serbian flags could be seen downtown and along a highway.