Chinese Leader Xi Jinping expressed absolute confidence that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Beijing and Belgrade will reach “new heights,” following a high-level bilateral meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
To cement this alliance, Xi awarded Vučić the Medal of Friendship—China’s highest state honor reserved exclusively for foreign nationals.
Vučić is currently on a pivotal five-day state visit to China aimed at deepening military-technical ties and economic cooperation. Despite being an official candidate for European Union membership, Serbia has aggressively pivoted toward Beijing over the last decade, notably becoming the first European nation to purchase and deploy Chinese military hardware.
Officials from both nations consistently characterize their geopolitical bond as an “ironclad friendship.”
Elevating the Alliance: “A Shared Future”
During their summit, Xi and Vučić issued a sweeping joint declaration centered on building a “Serbia-China community with a shared future in the new era.” They also committed to jointly advancing China’s four Global Initiatives.
The state visit is expected to culminate in the signing of approximately 30 bilateral agreements spanning infrastructure, technology, and trade. Prior to his departure, Vučić announced that a €1 billion investment package had already been secured.
President Vučić on Bilateral Ties: “Thank you, President Xi, for everything we have achieved together, for standing with us in building Serbia… and for helping Serbia during our most difficult times.”
Behind Closed Doors: Military-Technical and Strategic Talks
While broader diplomatic talks focused on mutual support within international organizations, Vučić revealed that highly sensitive matters were reserved for an intimate, restricted format.
- Military and Intelligence Cooperation: Vučić explicitly told reporters that defense matters would remain largely confidential. “I cannot openly discuss complicated issues that are not intended for the public eye, such as our military-technical cooperation. We have specific requests, certain wishes—these are meant for a narrower format,” he stated.
- Securing State Enterprises: In meetings with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Vučić requested Beijing’s assistance in finding strategic foreign partners to revive struggling, state-backed Serbian enterprises, specifically the textile company Jumko and the furniture manufacturer Simpo in southern Serbia.
- Booming Trade: Discussions also centered on the execution of the Serbia-China Free Trade Agreement. Vučić highlighted that Serbian exports to China surged by 20% in 2025.
Cracks in the Global Market: Critiques of Western Protectionsim
The Serbian President did not mince words regarding the shifting dynamics between Western powers and China, taking a direct swipe at Western trade policies.
“Protectionism is fast becoming a core Western value,” Vučić remarked to journalists, arguing that Western economies are reverting to defensive trade barriers because they can no longer compete symmetrically with China on a genuinely free market.
Vučić also held a high-level meeting with Wang Huning, the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Highlighting Wang’s massive influence on China’s geopolitical doctrine, Vučić referred to him as the “Chinese Kissinger.”
“This is a man who has always participated in crafting Chinese foreign policy and shaping Chinese ideology. I carefully took notes on everything he told me,” Vučić added.
The deepening ties mark a continuation of a 14-year geopolitical trajectory. Serbia’s relationship with China has grown exponentially closer ever since the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) ascended to power over a decade ago.
