On October 17, 2026, local time, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović met with Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Cetinje.
Jakov Milatović asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping and welcomed the Chinese Foreign Minister’s first-ever visit to Montenegro in history.
Jakov Milatović said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Montenegro and China, making this visit of important symbolic significance. He noted that he had once studied in China, which gave him a better understanding of how China’s economy and society operate as well as the lifestyle of the Chinese people, and further deepened his awareness of the importance of cooperation with China.
He said that Montenegro’s current diplomatic priority is accession to the European Union, but it also attaches great importance to its relations with China. Montenegro firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is committed to friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with China. Over the past 20 years, relations between Montenegro and China have achieved remarkable results in various fields, with infrastructure, trade and economic cooperation, and tourism becoming the three major priorities.
He added that the two prime ministers reached important consensus on further deepening cooperation during their meeting in China this year. Montenegro looks forward to continuing political dialogue with China and deepening practical cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, so as to bring greater benefits to the peoples of both countries.
Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping’s cordial greetings to President Jakov Milatović. Wang Yi said that although China and Montenegro are far apart geographically, the two countries have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, setting a model for friendly exchanges between countries of different sizes. China appreciates that the President is able to view China in a rational and objective manner and actively develop relations with China.
He said that China has consistently advocated equality among all countries, large and small, and follows a foreign policy of partnership rather than alliance, and dialogue rather than confrontation. China appreciates the Montenegrin government’s steadfast adherence to the one-China principle, respects the path and governance model chosen by the Montenegrin people, and is willing to be a reliable and trustworthy good partner of Montenegro.
China has always engaged in practical cooperation with Montenegro in a sincere manner, achieving tangible results. The North-South Highway (Bar-Boljare Highway) is a century project for Montenegro, and both sides should ensure the high-quality completion of Phase II of the project. Montenegro enjoys unique tourism advantages and has a historical tradition of resisting fascism. China is helping restore the Đurđevića Tara Bridge, featured in the famous former Yugoslav film The Bridge (Most), and more Chinese tourists are expected to travel to Montenegro.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Montenegro. The two sides should take this opportunity to summarize successful experience, jointly consult on elevating bilateral relations to a higher level, open up new areas of cooperation, and build a better new 20 years.
Wang Yi stated that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners, and that China-EU relations are generally sound and stable. China has always maintained that China and the EU are partners, not rivals. Differences on economic and trade issues have emerged in the course of ever-closer cooperation between the two sides and can be fully resolved through dialogue, and they should not affect the overall picture of China-EU relations. China understands Montenegro’s efforts to join the EU and its choice to pursue European integration, and believes that this process is fully compatible with deepening cooperation with China. China is confident that after joining the EU, Montenegro will become another good friend of China within the EU, and looks forward to Montenegro playing a unique and important role in regional peace and stability and in China-EU relations.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international and regional issues of common concern. Before the meeting, the two sides jointly visited a photo exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Montenegro.
During the visit, Wang Yi also met with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović. Upon Wang Yi’s arrival in Montenegro, Ibrahimović welcomed him at his hotel.
