Commemoration held in Belgrade for journalists killed in NATO bombing

A commemoration was held at China’s embassy in Serbia on Tuesday in memory of the three Chinese journalists killed by the NATO bombing of the embassy two decades ago.

After placing wreaths at a monument for Shao Yunhuan, Xu Xinghu, and Zhu Ying, the attendees stood for a moment of silence.

China’s Ambassador to Serbia, Chen Bo, attended the event along with staff at the embassy and Chinese nationals working in Serbia.

Zoran Dordević, Serbia’s minister of labor, employment, veterans, and social policy also attended the commemoration along with Vladimir Radomirović, who is the chairman of the Serbian Journalists’ Association, and Aco Petrović, the assistant to the Mayor of Belgrade.

On May 7, 1999, United States-led NATO forces bombed China’s embassy in Belgrade. The attack left three journalists dead, dozens of others injured, and the embassy building severely damaged.

To commemorate the Chinese reporters killed in the attack, and to thank China for its support for Serbia, the Belgrade city government set up a cenotaph at the site of the embassy on May 7, 2009.