Serbian  Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic (L,  Front) and Serbian Minister of Defense Milos Vucevic (R, Front) look at  an exhibition panel of Backi Breg-Srpska Crnja expressway in Backi Breg,  Serbia, on Dec. 13, 2023. Chinese companies officially started the  construction of Serbia's Backi Breg-Srpska Crnja expressway on  Wednesday. The 186-km route is expected to improve regional connectivity  and boost economic growth. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

BACKI  BREG, Serbia, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese companies officially started  the construction of Serbia's Backi Breg-Srpska Crnja expressway on  Wednesday. The 186-km route is expected to improve regional connectivity  and boost economic growth.

The groundbreaking event at Backi Breg  in northwest Serbia was attended by the country's Deputy Prime Minister  and Minister of Defense Milos Vucevic, Minister of Construction,  Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia  Li Ming, among others.

Minister Vesic emphasized the  transformative impact of the expressway on the lives of citizens in the  region, saying it will facilitate investments, create jobs and improve  the standard of living.

Chinese Ambassador Li Ming expressed pride  in the collaboration between China and Serbia on this infrastructure  project, considering it a symbol of friendship and cooperation between  the two nations.

"China is very proud to work with Serbia to build  its infrastructure. Today's event is another symbol of friendship  between China and Serbia," he said. ■

Photo  taken on Dec. 13, 2023 shows trucks at the construction site of  Serbia's Backi Breg-Srpska Crnja expressway in Backi Breg, Serbia.  Chinese companies officially started the construction of Serbia's Backi  Breg-Srpska Crnja expressway on Wednesday. The 186-km route is expected  to improve regional connectivity and boost economic growth. (Photo by  Wang Wei/Xinhua)

Serbian  Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic (C)  addresses a ceremony to start the construction of Backi Breg-Srpska  Crnja expressway in Backi Breg, Serbia, on Dec. 13, 2023. Chinese  companies officially started the construction of Serbia's Backi  Breg-Srpska Crnja expressway on Wednesday. The 186-km route is expected  to improve regional connectivity and boost economic growth. (Photo by  Wang Wei/Xinhua)