Velimir Bata Zivojinovic, former Yugoslavia movie star, smiles during his 77th birthday celebration in Belgrade, Serbia June 5, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

The Chinese people cherish the memory of Bata very much, said Chinese President Xi Jinping while meeting with the widow of late Serbian actor Velimir Bata Zivojinovic in Belgrade on Sunday.

On hearing of Xi's visit to Serbia, Julijana Lula Zivojinovic insisted on meeting Xi at Saturday's banquet hosted by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic.

That is "because Bata loves China, and both of us like to be together with the Chinese people," Julijana said.

When Nikolic introduced the theme tune of the movie "Walter Defends Sarajevo," in which Zivojinovic played the role of Walter, Xi said: "I remember. Yugoslavian films such as 'Walter Defends Sarajevo' and 'The Bridge' used to be very popular in China."

"The movies evoked people's sentiment of patriotism and accompanied the youth period of our generation," Xi said.

By the end of the banquet, the two presidents came up to Julijana, and she shook Xi's hands tightly.

"When reports on Bata's death reached China, the Chinese people missed him very much," Xi said.

Julijana said her husband loved China and the Chinese people.

The famous icon of Yugoslavian film and Serbian actor passed away on May 22 at the age of 83.