Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Djukic Dejanovic and China's National People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo agreed Wednesday that the two countries have a longstanding friendship and excellent and continually deepening political and economic cooperation.

At a joint news conference after the meeting at the Serbian parliament, Djukic Dejanovic pointed out that China understands Serbia's main foreign policy goals and represents one of the four pillars of Serbia's foreign policy.

"We strongly support the One China policy and at the same time owe a debt of gratitude to China for its principled stance of honoring international law in regards to Serbia's sovereignty and integrity," she said and added that China supports Serbia's EU integration efforts.

China would like to thank Serbia for its unwavering support regarding China's major interests - the One China policy and the issues of Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang, Bangguo said.

He said it is important for the two countries to further economic cooperation and trade, as well as parliamentary cooperation.

Earlier in the day, Serbian and Chinese government officials signed several bilateral agreements, including deals in finance, healthcare and culture.

Serbian Finance Minister Diana Dragutinovic and China Eximbank President Li Ruogu signed agreements on a concessionary loan and a preferential consumer loan for the construction of the Zemun - Borca bridge and accompanying facilities.

State Secretary with the Serbian Finance Ministry Slobodan Ilic and Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng exchanged notes on China's non-repayable aid to Serbia.

State Secretary with the Serbian Finance Ministry Miodrag Djidic and the Chinese vice minister signed a framework agreement on the concessionary loan guarantee.

Health Minister Tomica Milosavljevic and Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Wei Jinghua signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the areas of healthcare and medicine.

Culture Minister Nebojsa Bradic and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya signed an agreement on the establishment of a Serbian cultural center in China and vice-versa.