China, Serbia promote all-weather partnership with deeper strategic and economic alignment

The state visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to China marks a renewed phase in a bilateral relationship increasingly defined by political trust, development coordination and expanding practical cooperation.

Against the backdrop of growing global uncertainty and geopolitical fragmentation, China and Serbia are further consolidating what both sides describe as an "ironclad friendship," with cooperation continuing to expand across infrastructure, trade, technology and people-to-people exchanges. 

Ironclad friendship underpinned by sustained political trust, practical cooperation

At the political level, the two countries reaffirmed mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and independently chosen development paths.

During talks with Vucic, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the China-Serbia ironclad friendship is distinctive and built on deep historical logic and practical foundations, calling on both sides to continue strengthening mutual support and deepening cooperation.

Serbia reiterated its firm commitment to the one-China principle and expressed continued support for China's core interests, while China reaffirmed its respect for Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

That political trust has continued to provide momentum for practical cooperation. Over the past decade, China has become one of Serbia's largest sources of foreign investment and an increasingly important trade partner in Central and Eastern Europe.

Chinese-built infrastructure projects, including the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Hungary-Serbia Railway, have become flagship examples of Belt and Road cooperation in the region. The railway, which began operation in 2022, reduced travel time between Belgrade and Novi Sad from around 90 minutes to about 30 minutes, significantly improving regional connectivity.

The railway is part of the broader Hungary-Serbia project linking Belgrade and Budapest, viewed as a key corridor connecting Central Europe with the Greek port of Piraeus. The project has been widely regarded as an important component of China-Europe connectivity under the Belt and Road framework, helping facilitate trade, logistics and cross-border economic integration in the region.

Cooperation has also expanded in the industrial sector. The HBIS-operated Smederevo steel plant, acquired by China's HBIS Group in 2016, employs more than 5,000 workers and has become a widely cited example of industrial revitalization cooperation between the two countries.

Development alignment drives broader cooperation

Economic and development cooperation remains a central pillar of bilateral relations.

Both sides agreed to further align China's 15th Five-Year Plan with Serbia's "2030 Development Strategy" and continue advancing Belt and Road cooperation in transport, energy and industrial modernization.

Cooperation is also expanding into emerging sectors linked to technological and green transformation. Both sides committed to strengthening collaboration in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green development, advanced manufacturing and aerospace technologies.

The China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2024, has further facilitated bilateral trade and investment flows. Serbian agricultural products and specialty goods have gained broader access to the Chinese market, while Chinese companies continue expanding investments in mining, renewable energy and manufacturing projects across Serbia.

The two countries also highlighted growing cooperation in logistics and connectivity, including the role of the China-Europe Railway Express in supporting regional supply chains and trade flows.

Expanding people-to-people exchanges and multilateral coordination

Alongside economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges are becoming an increasingly important pillar of bilateral relations.

Both sides expressed commitment to expanding cooperation in education, tourism, healthcare, sports, media and local-level exchanges, with growing emphasis on vocational training and digital education.

Direct air routes and visa-free arrangements have continued to facilitate closer interaction between the two peoples, contributing to rising tourism and cultural exchanges.

China and Serbia have also maintained close coordination on international and regional affairs.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the principles of the UN Charter while emphasizing dialogue and cooperation in addressing global challenges.

With the signing of a broad range of cooperation documents covering political, economic, technological and cultural fields, the two countries are further advancing a partnership characterized by practical cooperation and long-term strategic coordination.