According to a report on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website on October 18th, on October 17th, 2026, local time, Montenegro's President Milutinovic met with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Cetinje.
Milutinovic asked Wang Yi to convey his sincere regards to President Xi Jinping. He welcomed the first visit by a Chinese Foreign Minister to Montenegro in its history. Milutinovic said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Montenegro and China, making this visit of great symbolic importance. I have visited China before to study the Chinese economy and society, as well as the people's lifestyle. This has further highlighted the importance of cooperation with China. Currently, Montenegro's focus is on joining 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 between Montenegro and China. Over the past 20 years, relations between Montenegro and China in various fields have achieved significant results. Infrastructure, economic and trade relations, and tourism have become the three key areas of cooperation. The prime ministers of both countries will meet in China this year to reach important agreements on further deepening cooperation. Montenegro looks forward to continuing political dialogue with China and deepening practical cooperation based on mutual respect, thereby bringing greater benefits to the people of both countries.
Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping's kind regards to Milutinović. Wang Yi said that although China and Montenegro are far apart, the two countries have always respected each other and treated each other equally, setting a model for friendly relations between countries of different sizes. China appreciates the president's ability to view China rationally and objectively, and to actively develop relations with China. China has always advocated equality among all countries, regardless of their size, and pursues a foreign policy of forming partnerships rather than alliances, and engaging in dialogue rather than confrontation. China also values Montenegro's firm adherence to the principle of one China, its respect for the path and governance model chosen by the Montenegrin people, and is willing to be a reliable and trustworthy partner for Montenegro. China has been engaged in practical cooperation with Montenegro with sincerity, achieving tangible results. The North-South highway is a century project for Montenegro, and both sides should complete the second phase of the project with high quality. Montenegro has unique tourism advantages, as well as a history of resistance against fascism. China is helping to restore the Tara River Bridge, which appeared in the famous Yugoslavian film "The Bridge," and believes that more Chinese tourists will visit Montenegro. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Montenegro. Both sides should take this as an opportunity to summarize successful experiences, jointly discuss ways to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level, explore new areas of cooperation, and build a brighter and better new era.
Wang Yi stated that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners, and relations between China and Europe are generally healthy and stable. The Chinese side always believes that China and Europe are partners, not competitors. Disagreements in economic and trade matters arise during the continuous development of bilateral cooperation and can be resolved through dialogue. These issues should not affect the overall situation of China-Europe relations. The Chinese side understands Montenegro's efforts to join the EU and its choice to integrate into European integration. It believes that this process is compatible with deepening cooperation with China. It is believed that Montenegro will become another good friend of China within the EU after joining. There is expectation that Montenegro will play a unique and important role in regional peace and stability, as well as in China-Europe relations.
The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, such as the Ukraine crisis. Before the meeting, both sides jointly visited a photo exhibition commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Black Africa.
During his visit, Wang Yi also met with Prime Minister Spaic of Montenegro and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ibrahimojić of Montenegro. When Wang Yi arrived in Montenegro, Ibrahimojić went to the hotel where he was staying to welcome him.
On October 18, 2026, local time, Wang Yi held talks with İbrâhimoğlu in Podgorica.
Wang Yi stated that China and Montenegro are good friends who do not consider mountains and seas as boundaries. China is the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Montenegro, reflecting respect for Montenegro and importance attached to Sino-Montenegal relations. Over the past 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, bilateral relations have developed healthily and steadily, benefiting the people of both countries. This has become a model of cooperation and win-win outcomes among countries of different sizes, national conditions, and social systems. Both China and Montenegro have a history of resisting fascist aggression and possess a resilient and unyielding national character. China is helping to repair the Tara River Bridge featured in the former Yugoslavian film "The Bridge," believing that this bridge will also become a bridge connecting the hearts of the two peoples. The Chinese side wishes to take the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations as an opportunity to summarize successful experiences with Montenegro, and on this basis, enhance the positioning of bilateral relations, opening up a new and even more glorious 20 years of cooperation between the two countries.
Wang Yi stated that China supports Montenegro's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. China also supports the path to development and revitalization chosen by the Montenegrin people, as well as Montenegro's desire to play an active role in international affairs. China is willing and capable of helping Montenegro to develop, and is eager to be a reliable and long-term partner for Montenegro. China appreciates Montenegro's adherence to the one-China policy, and believes that the two countries will continue to support each other on issues related to their core interests and major concerns. This has laid a solid political foundation for bilateral relations and created important conditions for further cooperation between the two sides. China encourages Chinese companies to actively participate in Montenegro's infrastructure construction, and is willing to cooperate with Montenegro in areas such as tourism, energy, and green transformation.
Wang Yi stated that China understands Montenegro's efforts to join the EU and hopes that Montenegro will become another new friend of China within the EU. Sino-European relations have lasted for over half a century, and the essence of cooperation between the two sides is mutual benefit and win-win results. The current differences in the economic and trade fields are issues that arise during cooperation. As long as dialogue is maintained with a spirit of mutual respect and accommodation, these issues can be properly resolved as relations between the two sides deepen. The China-Central and Eastern Europe Cooperation Mechanism was established based on the development needs of regional countries. China has no geopolitical considerations regarding this issue and does not interfere in the internal affairs of regional countries. China looks forward to a situation where mutual benefit and win-win results are achieved. Montenegro is welcome to play its role as the leading country in the environmental cooperation mechanism. Countries in the Balkan region are all good friends of China, and they maintain good cooperative relations with China. It is hoped that countries in the region will live in harmony, build mutual trust, and achieve common development.
Ibragimović said that the friendship between Montenegro and China has a long history. Although the two countries are separated by thousands of miles, people from both sides have a friendly relationship. The Tara River Bridge symbolizes the common historical memory between the two nations. This year marks not only the 20th anniversary of Montenegro's independence but also the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Montenegro. China's recognition of Montenegro's independence immediately after its independence proves that the relationship between the two countries has a solid foundation. Montenegro welcomes the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister to Montenegro for the first time in history, and there have been many visits from people from various fields in Montenegro to China, which sends positive signals of exchanges and cooperation with China. Montenegro clearly adheres to the one-China principle, and no officials from any official institution in Montenegro will have any dealings with Taiwan.
Ibrashiovic said that the current relationship between Montenegro and China is developing well, and has translated into fruitful results in practical cooperation. Chinese enterprises have played an important role in participating in key projects such as the north-south highway in Montenegro. He welcomed Chinese enterprises to continue supporting Montenegro's infrastructure construction and to explore ways to promote major projects such as power plants, railways, airports, and ports. Montenegro is willing to cooperate with China in areas such as tourism, film, education, and scientific research, to promote traditional friendship and create a bright future. Montenegro appreciates China's important role in promoting world peace and development, and is willing to continue strengthening cooperation with China in multilateral and international affairs.
