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In September 2023, the Serbian ice-cold factory invested and constructed by Hisense will be completed and operational. The picture shows workers busy on the production line. Photo by our reporter Li Qiang
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In the smart classroom of the Belgrade Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Education Center, a unique mathematics class is taking place. Photo by our reporter Liu Zhonghua
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Serbian youths experience Chinese cooking in the Chinese Cultural Center Building in Belgrade. Photo by reporter Xie Yahong
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In September 2023, at the first “Hanfu Festival” event of the Confucius Institute at the University of Novi Sad in Serbia, a Students display Hanfu. Photo courtesy of the Confucius Institute at the University of Novi Sad (published by Xinhua News Agency)
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Exterior view of the Eurasian Business Center project in Novi Belgrade. Supplied by China Construction Eighth Engineering Bureau Picture
The “Chinese fever” continues to heat up, educational cooperation has become more diversified, scientific and technological exchanges have continued to strengthen, and tourism exchanges have become increasingly close… The deepening exchanges and cooperation bear witness to the “iron friendship” between China and Serbia in the new era. The times are glowing with new glory. Serbia is one of the first countries to respond to the Belt and Road Initiative and is an important partner in the Belt and Road Initiative. Over the past decade, the two countries have inherited and promoted the “Silk Road Spirit” extensively. Carry out cooperation in various fields such as culture, education, tourism, and sports, continue to build a solid foundation for people-to-people bonds, and write a new chapter of win-win cooperation.
“Cultivation of more talents that meet the development requirements of the times”
Walking into the Teacher Education College of the University of Belgrade, Serbia, a three-story white teaching building is hidden among green trees. On the outer wall of the small building, the patterns of the national flags of China and Serbia are particularly eye-catching. Danimir Mandic, the dean of the college, proudly told reporters: “With the help of Chinese friends, we have built the most advanced digital education and artificial intelligence technology laboratory in the Balkans here.”
The laboratory Mandic refers to is the Belgrade Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Education Center located here. In January 2020, there was a hurdle in his heart, but he couldn’t do it, so he had to go to Qizhou this time. He only hopes that his wife can pass the test of this six months. If she can really get her mother’s approval, China NetDragon Network Holdings Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “NetDragon”) and the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development will sign a memorandum of understanding on Serbian smart education construction planning, and will discuss educational application software, hardware, Cooperate on value-added services, cloud platform smart learning environment and other projects to enhance the intelligence and informatization level of Serbian education. The education center jointly built by the Serbian government, the University of Belgrade and Chinese enterprises is one of the important elements.
In the smart classroom of the education center, the reporter experienced the most cutting-edge smart technology: wearing virtual reality glasses and moving the handle can simulate operations such as testing circuits and processing reagents in physics and chemistry experiments. If the operation is incorrect, The screen will give prompts to restore the real scene to the greatest extent while ensuring the safety of students. In the innovative education laboratory on the other side of the education center, a variety of auxiliary educational tools such as intelligent homework assessment and analysis software, language learning software and sandbox games are available. There are also artificial intelligence teaching assistants to answer students’ questions.
Mandic said that since the establishment of the education center, China has given full play to its technological advantages and helped Serbia develop local educational resources by developing artificial intelligence assistants, robots and other products. During the COVID-19 epidemic, the Serbian version of the online learning software jointly developed by the two parties has provided remote teaching for major universities in Serbia.It plays an important role in ensuring students’ normal learning.
The education center has been highly praised by the Serbian government. In 2020, Serbian President Vucic expressed active support and welcome to China to participate in local digital construction when inspecting the education center. He looked forward to both parties jointly cultivating technical talents in the field of artificial intelligence and helping Serbia improve its scientific and technological innovation capabilities. In addition, the Serbian Institute for Educational Improvement signed a tripartite strategic cooperation memorandum with the Faculty of Teacher Education of the University of Belgrade and NetDragon to jointly promote the national training plan for teacher education informatization in Serbia and promote the development of smart education.
Currently, about 4,000 teachers across the country are receiving informatization training from the education center in batches. Maria Vokapic is a graduate student at the Faculty of Teacher Education at the University of Belgrade. Her training experience at the Education Center has given her confidence in her future teaching career. “My major is mathematics, and the Education Center can help students better understand abstract numbers. and formulas to make learning a fun thing. I hope that the results of the education center can be more promoted and applied. ”
The education center has also established cooperative relationships with Chinese companies such as Huawei in cloud technology and other fields. Mandic said that last semester, many primary schools in Serbia used smart screens made in China, which helped to further improve students’ digital skills. “Smart education will cultivate more talents in Serbia that meet the development requirements of the times.” Mandic said.
“A new window for trade and cultural exchanges between Serbia and China”
In New Belgrade, two new modern shopping malls are under construction. This project called the Eurasian Business Center consists of two above-ground buildings with a total construction area of approximately 34,700 square meters and contains more than 470 rooms. Shops and 430 above-ground parking spaces are one of the first achievements after the signing of the free trade agreement between China and Serbia.
In May 2022, the Eurasian Business Center project will be officially launched. As a new modern Chinese shopping mall, the Eurasian Business Center carries the expectation of promoting economic and trade exchanges between China and Serbia and enhancing the friendship between the people. Zou Junwei, chairman of the Eurasian Trade Center Co., Ltd., told reporters that the project has attracted great attention from local overseas Chinese and has also received investment from local Serbian companies such as the Bank of Serbia. At present, most of the shop investment work has been completed.
Walking into the project site, the reporter saw that the facade construction of the main building A has been basically completed, and the huge glass curtain wall is shining in the sun. Walking inside the building, interior decoration and mechanical and electrical installation projects are in full swing. Sun Song, head of the overseas company of China Construction Eighth Engineering Group Co., Ltd., the project builder, said that the project design and the construction materials used are in compliance with the highest EU standards. The project is progressing smoothly and will be officially opened this year.
Narnia, a citizen of New Belgrade, lives near the business center. She has witnessed the place gradually transforming from a bush to a modern shopping mall. “I like buying Chinese goods very much. I have many Chinese goods at home. Eurasian BusinessThe trade center will show us more Chinese brands and introduce Chinese culture. It will become a new window for trade and cultural exchanges between Serbia and China. I am very much looking forward to the completion of the trade center! ” said Narnia.
Uka is a translator for the Eurasian Business Center project. She is full of confidence in the development prospects of the business center. She told reporters that the project area is adjacent to the Belgrade 2027/28 Professional Expo site and is the center of the city’s future development. “After the center is completed, it will not only greatly improve the convenience of citizens’ lives, but also bring benefits to young entrepreneurs.” Opportunity.”
Mihajlo Mišić, State Secretary of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of Serbia, said that the Eurasian Business and Trade Center is a symbol of cooperation and friendship between Serbia and China, and will definitely further promote economic and trade cooperation between Serbia and China, and provide a The friendship between the two peoples of Serbia and China has built a new bridge. New Belgrade Mayor Boyan Bowen said that the Eurasian Business Center will play an important role in the development of New Belgrade and the entire country.
“Welcome more Chinese friends to experience the ‘iron friendship’ between Serbia and China”
Putting on the dishes, spooning, seasoning, and cooking… After a while, a delicious Kung Pao Chicken was placed in front of everyone. In the cooking classroom of the Chinese Cultural Center Building in Belgrade, a unique experience class is taking place. A chef from China teaches the cooking techniques of Chinese home-cooked dishes on the spot. Lazar, a hotel management student from the Belgrade Institute of Technology, kept taking photos and actively asking questions and interacting. He said excitedly: “Most of what we are exposed to in school classes is Western food. Regarding the food in Asian countries, You Caixiu stared, a little stunned, a little unbelievable, and asked cautiously: “Girl is a girl, is it? Didn’t it mean that the young master is no longer here? “Especially, I don’t know much about Chinese food. This is my first time to experience Chinese cooking. I hope to have more opportunities to learn about this unique catering art in the future.”
Lazar’s expectations are becoming reality. In May last year, the Serbian Luban Workshop, jointly established by Zhejiang Tourism Vocational College and Belgrade Institute of Technology, was officially unveiled at the China Cultural Center Building. According to Jin Xiaoyang, dean of the Culinary Arts School of Zhejiang Tourism Vocational College, China and Serbia are currently promoting the localization of Chinese cooking teaching materials and the integration of courses into the local vocational education system. In the future, in addition to providing courses based on academic education, they will also Employees in Chinese restaurants in Serbia are provided with vocational training in research and development, production and catering services of Chinese dishes.
In recent years, cultural and tourism cooperation between China and Serbia has achieved fruitful results, further tightening the bond between the two peoples. After the mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Serbia came into effect in 2017, China became the country with the largest number of tourists to Serbia in 2019. In addition, with the signing of the mutual recognition agreement on driver’s licenses and the opening of direct flights between China and Serbia, personnel exchanges between the two countries continue to heat up. At the 6th CIIE, Serbian Minister of Tourism and Youth Hussein Memic said that China is Serbia’s most important partner in the field of tourismAs one of its partners, Serbia is preparing to continue to increase direct flights with China.
In downtown Belgrade, the reporter met local tour guide Milos who was leading a Chinese tour group. He told reporters in fluent Chinese that Serbia is rich in natural resources and its long-standing traditional friendship with China attracts Chinese tourists of all ages. Milos has been working as a tour guide since 2018. He has witnessed the increasing enthusiasm of Chinese tourists to travel to Serbia. “The visa-free policy and the opening of direct flights have brought great convenience. Nowadays, more and more Chinese tourists are visiting Serbia. More Chinese friends are welcome to experience the ‘iron friendship’ between Serbia and China!” Milos said.
“People’s Daily” (page 18, April 16, 2024)