Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pay homage to the Chinese martyrs killed in the NATO bombing of the former Chinese embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in May 1999, after arriving in Belgrade for a state visit to Serbia, June 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Noting that both China and Serbia are peace-loving countries with no fear of hegemonic power, Xi pledged to join Serbia in firmly supporting each others'core interests and on issues of major concern, and jointly contribute to world peace and development.

On May 7, 1999, U.S.-led NATO forces carried out a barbaric missile attack on the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, which left the three journalists dead, dozens of others injured, and the embassy building severely damaged.

To commemorate the fallen Chinese reporters and thank China for its support to Serbia, the Belgrade city government set up the first cenotaph in front of the bombarded embassy site on May 7, 2009.

Xi is in Serbia for a state visit to carry forward the two countries' traditional friendship and step up their economic cooperation. It is the first visit by a Chinese head of state to Serbia in 32 years.

He will later travel to Poland and Uzbekistan for state visits as well as the 16th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State in Tashkent.