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.
Lidia Bastianich, Melody Thomas Scott and Ed Scott to receive Daytime Emmys lifetime achievement
Children addicted to tech including smartphones are more at risk of psychosis, study suggests
Why cat urine smells so bad: Scientists reveal what causes the unique stench
Woman's rare disease causes 20
Putin is starting his 5th term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Early man's best friend was the fox as the animal was domesticated by humans, research suggests
NHS waiting lists fall for fifth month in a row as Rishi Sunak says 'our plan is working'
In China, latest Minions movie gets a new ending that promotes rule of law
Woman, 62, is left baffled as she turns up to a hospital scan only to be told she's already dead
Hannah Elizabeth puts on a busty display in an off
Activists in Bangladesh march through universities to demand end to Israel
Want a healthy dog? Vets reveal the 10 extreme body conformations owners should AVOID including flat