China, Serbia deepen AI cooperation to drive industrial upgrade

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday visited a future factory operated by Minth Group in Jiaxing, east China's Zhejiang Province, where humanoid robots showcased a range of interactive functions, including performing a traditional Serbian dance.

Vucic praised the robotics technology as highly creative, saying such innovations have the potential to transform daily life.

"I'm so happy to be here and to see the progress of Chinese industry works," said Vucic. "But what makes me very happy is the fact that we're going to produce some of these robots in Serbia very soon."

During the visit, Serbian youths demonstrated intelligent robot operation skills they had learned at the factory, highlighting the cooperation between China and Serbia in advanced manufacturing and talent training. 

Since 2018, Minth Group has built 10 factories in Serbia. Both sides will also cooperate on humanoid robot production.

China-Serbia cooperation in AI

The cooperation builds on recent China-Serbia technological ties. In November 2025, the 7th Session of the China-Serbia Joint Committee Meeting on Scientific and Technological Cooperation explicitly identified artificial intelligence and the digital economy​ as priority areas for deepened pragmatic collaboration. 

In February 2026, Vucic announced Serbia's plan to partner with AGIBOT, a Chinese robotics company headquartered in Shanghai​, and Minth Group​ to construct Europe's first large-scale humanoid robot production base, targeting mass production as early as 2026. More than a commercial venture, the project represents a strategic "technology export" move by Chinese firms eyeing the European market, while serving as a critical lever for Serbia's own industrial upgrade.

With Minth Group already operating in Serbia since 2018 and employing approximately 3,500 local staff, the proposed robotics base represents a shift from traditional manufacturing toward higher-value segments of the supply chain. The model combines technical skills transfer​ with localized production capacity, aiming to position Serbia as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing in the region.

The move marks a significant transition in bilateral cooperation in this field, evolving from scientific research into the realm of high-end manufacturing.

(CGTN's Bi Ran and Zhang Yize also contributed to this story. Cover: Humanoid robots from the Minth Group)