BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to European ally Serbia on Tuesday falls on a symbolic date: the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade during NATO’s air war over Kosovo.
U.S. jets dropped five bombs on the Chinese Embassy compound in the Serbian capital on May 7, 1999, setting it ablaze and killing three Chinese nationals. Twenty other people were injured in the incident, which has burdened relations between the two powers ever since.
Xi referred to the bombing in an op-ed published in Serbia’s Politika newspaper on Tuesday, saying that “we must not forget that 25 years ago today, NATO brazenly bombed the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia,” according to translations carried by Chinese state media.
“The Chinese people value peace but will never allow historical tragedies to happen again,” Xi added.
Larrañaga, Kruger, Dunphy and Nolan to be honored with Joe Lapchick Character Award
Xi Focus: Xi Calls for Promoting Peace, Solidarity, Inclusiveness Through Sports
NASA's next Mars mission to probe deep interior of red planet
Shanghai makes great strides in improving business environment
Teyana Taylor strips down during VERY raunchy burlesque show at NY's Paradise Club in front of star
China sets goals to breakthrough in future industries
'Global status far off for China's carmakers'
Demand from China drives U.S.' soybean trade
Boeing calls off Starliner launch due to rocket issue
A Boeing 737 MAX arrives in Guangzhou, ending nearly 5