Edition: English | 中文简体 | 中文繁体 Монгол
Homepage > China Video

Pupin Bridge: Link between China and Serbia

CCTV.com

06-16-2016 15:24 BJT

China and Serbia have long had friendly relations and have developed cooperation in many areas. One of the most notable projects between the two countries is the China-Serbian Friendship Bridge or Pupin Bridge in the Serbian capital Belgrade.

Built in 2014 by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, the bridge has become a symbol of friendship between the two nations. Gavin Blackburn has more.

The bridge, named after the Serbian scientist and inventor Mihajlo Pupin, was the second to cross the Danube River in Belgrade. For 70 years, there was only one bridge crossing the Danube in the Serbian capital.

The Pančevo Bridge struggled to accommodate increasing traffic volumes and restricted the economic development of the fourth-largest city in the Balkan region.

Connecting Zemun on the south of the Danube and Borca to the north, the new bridge has shortened the travel time from more than an hour to just 10 minutes, significantly reducing traffic volume in a city of more than 1 million.

The new bridge was opened by Premier of the People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang and his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic on December 18, 2014. It is also known as the China-Serbian Friendship Bridge.

“The Serbian Prime minister said this bridge represented a a symbol of friendship between China and Serbia. Our premier, Li Keqiang, said the same,” said Li Manchang, Chinese ambassador to Serbia.

The bridge, constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, was China's first big infrastructure investment in Europe. It not only became a calling card for Chinese companies, but also encouraged economic development in poorer areas of the city.

“We really appreciate that the Chinese company built this bridge for us. It is not only good for Zemun, but also good for Serbia. People can go to other cities and no longer bypass Belgrade. That’s thanks for our Chinese friends,” a resident said.

Follow us on

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Instagram

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Wechat