Xi is paying a state visit to Serbia from Friday to Sunday. It's the first state visit by Chinese president to Serbia since the country's independence in 2006.
Xi paid a silent tribute to the deceased, without giving any speech. Senior officials from both countries bowed and offered flowers in front of the memorial stone.
After the memorial ceremony, Xi attended a foundation-laying laying ceremony for the Chinese Culture Center in Belgrade.
Witnessed by Xi, Sinisa Mali, mayor of Belgrade, named "Confucius Street" and "Serbia-China Friendship Square" on the former site of the embassy.
During the visit, the two countries will sign a number of cooperative documents covering areas including economic and trade, production capacity and finance.
To show his support toward Chinese investment, Xi will pay a visit to Smederevo steel mill, which was founded in 1913 and acquired in April by Hesteel Group, China's largest iron and steel business group in terms of production capacity, said Liu Haixing, assistant foreign minister.
In 2009, Serbia became the first CEE country to establish a strategic partnership with China. In September last year, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic brought a detachment of soldiers to attend China's landmark parade marking the 70th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascist War victory.
By AN BAIJIE in Belgrade (China Daily)
