China and Serbia chart a 'shared future' with Xi in Europe

STORY: China and Serbia agreed to follow a “shared future” as President Xi Jinping visited the Balkan country on Wednesday.

Xi is on his first tour of Europe in five years, seen as an effort to strengthen ties with eastern European countries that are pro-Russian and large recipients of Chinese investment.

The president of the world’s No. 2 economy was greeted on the tarmac by children who handed out flowers as well as a traditional Serbian dance performance.

Belgrade’s streets were decorated with Chinese flags and Xi and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic were greeted by a cheering crowd in front of the presidential palace.

Since 2020 China has been the single-largest investor in Serbia, Vucic said, an investment that’s up 30-fold over the past decade.

:: June 17, 2016

During Xi’s first visit to Belgrade in 2016, the two countries signed a strategic partnership.

:: May 8, 2024

Last year Vucic signed 18 agreements with Xi in Beijing, including a free trade deal that comes into effect on July 1.

At a press conference with Vucic, Xi said the two countries shared deep connections.

"China and Serbia are true friends and good partners. Political mutual trust between the two countries is rock-solid. Pragmatic cooperation, institutional upgrading, and multilateral coordination are close and smooth, and hardcore friendship is everlasting."

More than two dozen agreements were signed during this visit, promoting legal, regulatory and economic cooperation.

And both leaders said they would support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Meaning that Serbia considers Taiwan, viewed by Beijing as a breakaway province, to be part of China, just as China considers Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, as part of Serbia.

Vucic said Serbia and China are moving from strategic relations to (quote) “a community that talks about the shared future of our two countries.”

China owns mines and factories across Serbia and has lent it billions for roads, bridges and new facilities, becoming the country’s key partner in much-needed infrastructure development.

:: May 8, 1999

Xi’s visit coincides with the anniversary of the accidental 1999 NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade.

It killed three Chinese journalists and wounded 20 Chinese nationals. It sparked outrage in China and an apology from then-U.S. President Bill Clinton.

:: File

Along with Hungary, Serbia is Europe's firmest supporter of China’s huge Belt and Road infrastructure project, which stretches across parts of Asia and Europe.

The Chinese president had left France on Tuesday after a two-day trip where he offered no major concessions on trade or foreign policy.

Xi departed Wednesday evening for Hungary.