"The China-Serbia partnership is like the finest steel — resilient, adaptable, and ever-strengthening under the tempering of shared vision." This is how Serbian Ambassador to China Maja Stefanović described the China-Serbia friendship in an interview with Science and Technology Daily.

The China-Serbia Sci-tech Exchange Event and Young Talented Scientists Roundtable on Green Steel Manufacturing, themed "Empowered by Technology, Greening the Future," was held in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, on December 9, demonstrating the deepening collaboration and talent exchanges between the two nations.

"China and Serbia share highly compatible needs and vast cooperation potential in technology and industrial development, particularly in green steel manufacturing," Gao Xiang, director general of China Science and Technology Exchange Center, said.

"Sci-tech cooperation platforms, such as Belt and Road labs and innovation centers, have integrated R&D from universities and industry-driven demands of enterprises," Gao added, citing the China-Serbia Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Green Steel Manufacturing as an example. These partnerships span joint R&D, industrial cooperation, and talent exchanges, injecting sci-tech momentum into the green transformation of both countries' steel sectors.

Statistics show that China has become Serbia's largest source of foreign direct investment. Notably, Serbia's top three exporters are Chinese-invested enterprises, including HBIS Serbia.

"HBIS Serbia has not only built one of the most advanced steel plants in Europe, but also created job opportunities for thousands of Serbian families," Stefanović said. "The joint lab serves as another testament to our ironclad friendship, injecting greater innovative momentum into Serbia's green and sustainable development."

The event and roundtable, part of the 2025 China-CEEC InnoShare, attracted more than 100 participants from China and Central and Eastern European countries.

"Hebei's steel industry development relies on open innovation cooperation," said Long Fenjie, director general of Hebei Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

He reaffirmed Hebei's commitment that, "We will continue optimizing policies for international sci-tech collaboration, deepening integration within the Belt and Road Initiative, and fostering exchanges among young scientists."

The participants agreed that sci-tech innovation transcends borders and serves as a solid bridge for friendship and common development.

"Green, low-carbon steel development requires not only technological innovation but also international cooperation and shared wisdom," Lin Zhangguo, deputy general manager of the HBIS Group, stated. "We aspire to build long-term bridges with Serbian and global partners in green manufacturing, low-carbon R&D, and high-end talent cultivation to steer the global steel industry toward greater sustainability and efficiency."