Editor's note: Nikola Mikovic, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a freelance journalist in Serbia, covering mostly Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian foreign policy issues. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily those of CGTN.

While waiting to join the European Union, a process that has been underway for more than a decade and whose outcome remains uncertain, Serbia is seeking to strengthen relations with other global powers. In the Southeastern European nation's "multi-vector" foreign policy and economic development, China seems to play a crucial role.  

In 2024, during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Belgrade, the two nations also signed a series of bilateral agreements, as part of their "ironclad friendship." As a result, China has positioned itself as an indispensable actor in Serbia's infrastructure development.  

To modernize the Serbian section of the strategically important railway connecting Belgrade and Budapest, China's assistance is important. Beijing is also involved in the construction of a number of other major infrastructure projects across the country – from Corridor 11, connecting Serbia with Montenegro, and the Belgrade metro, to the modernization of the nation's key energy facilities. In the coming months, Chinese corporations are expected to begin construction of an important expressway that will connect the central and eastern regions of Serbia.

More importantly, despite being surrounded by European Union member states and candidate countries, it was China rather than European nations that became the largest investor in the Serbian economy in 2025. But some political circles in the EU do not seem to like that fact.  

"It would be best if they just made me a wish list of who I am allowed to talk to and who I am not," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at a press conference prior to his most recent trip to China. "Then what do we need a president for? What do we need a government for?"

From May 24 to 28, Vucic paid an official visit to Beijing – calling it "the most important in his career" – where he met with the country's leadership, including President Xi, who awarded him the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China. The gesture undoubtedly carries symbolic significance in Serbia, where relations with China are a key element of foreign policy. Recent polls suggest that the vast majority of Serbian citizens see China in a rather positive light, enabling Belgrade to seek to intensify ties with Beijing.

Besides being the first European country to build a "common future" with China, Serbia has also been a pioneer in many other areas. Back in 2016, the Balkan nation became the first country in Central and Eastern Europe to have made an agreement to abolish the visa regime with China. Ever since, a growing number of Chinese tourists have been visiting Serbia.  

Belgrade – hoping to begin building its first nuclear power plant soon –  also seeks to strengthen nuclear ties with Beijing. Given that the Chinese and Serbian delegations signed several bilateral agreements, it is entirely possible that, in the coming months and years, Serbia will become a pioneer in integrating Chinese investment into large-scale national infrastructure and industrial modernization.

"China and Serbia should better align development strategies, implement the mid-term action plan for cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and advance cooperation in transport and energy infrastructure among others," the Chinese leader said following the meeting with Vucic, emphasizing that the China-Serbia ironclad friendship is "unique."

In many aspects, it really is. Among EU candidates in the Balkans, Serbia clearly stands out as China's closest and most important partner. As such, Serbia represents for China a strategic gateway into the European market and a reliable political actor in the Balkans.  

At the same time, China can also count on Serbia's political support. In a widely circulated 2024 interview, Vucic famously needed just 10 seconds to reaffirm Serbia's support for the one-China principle.  

Thus, political support for territorial integrity paves the way for the two nations to continue developing closer economic ties. Serbia is, therefore, expected to increase cooperation with China in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green energy and advanced manufacturing.

However, Vucic, as an experienced politician, is aware that the European Union may seek ways to limit Serbian-Chinese cooperation, which is why he will likely need to strike a careful balance between Serbia's geographic proximity to and economic dependence on the EU, and its growing political and investment ties with China.

In an increasingly uncertain world, the China-Serbia partnership stands as a model of mutual trust and win-win cooperation. As Serbia seeks diversified development opportunities and China continues to deepen engagement with Europe, the "ironclad friendship" between the two nations is expected to generate broader regional and global significance, contributing not only to economic growth, but also to stability, connectivity and mutual understanding across Eurasia.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)