China and Serbia vowed to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership during a visit by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Thursday in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Serbian counterpart Nikolic attended a welcoming ceremony before talks at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi said China wanted to enhance cooperation with Serbia in areas such as political and legislative affairs, agriculture, bio-pharmaceuticals and people-to-people exchanges.

He added China will continue to promote strategic linking of the Belt and the Road Initiative, and Serbia's re-industrialization program.

Nikolic said Serbia upholds the one-China policy and hoped China will play a bigger role in international affairs. He was also granted honorary citizenship of Beijing after the meeting.

The Serbian president will finish his five-day state visit to China on Saturday.