CGTN: China and Serbia Strengthen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Forge Shared Future

CGTN published an article on the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Beijing. The article highlights the strong friendship between the two nations, mutually beneficial cooperation, and their shared commitment to justice and equality. Both leaders are determined to elevate the China-Serbia comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level. The Smederevo Steel Plant, standing for over a century as a source of Serbian pride, is also a tangible symbol of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Serbia. The plant faced operational challenges and was on the brink of bankruptcy but rebounded in 2016 after partnering with Chinese firms, reflecting high-quality collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It now ranks among the world’s largest integrated steel producers and service providers by production capacity. During his 2024 state visit to Serbia, Xi Jinping presented Vučić with a miniature replica made of steel. The model, depicting China’s Temple of Heaven and Serbia’s Saint Sava Church, was crafted from steel produced at the Smederevo plant, symbolising the deepening ties between the two countries. Last Monday, the two leaders held another meeting in Beijing. Xi urged China and Serbia to pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous shared future while further strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership. Solid Friendship Vučić has attended major events in China, including the opening of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and the 80th anniversary commemoration of China’s victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War. The term ‘steel-strong friendship’ has become a hallmark of their meetings and discussions. Under the strategic guidance of both leaders, China-Serbia relations have rapidly developed in recent years. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, bilateral trade reached $6.49 billion in 2025, a 13% increase from the previous year. Serbia was among the first European countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative. In recent years, both nations have accelerated strategic projects, including the Budapest-Beograd railway and the Fruška Gora Corridor linking Novi Sad and Ruma. The Budapest-Beograd railway line in Serbia officially commenced operations in October 2025. Vučić personally tested the route, calling it a ‘historic achievement that will forever be recorded in history books.’ Since the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement took effect on 1 July 2024, Serbian exports such as wine, honey, beef, and lamb have increasingly entered the Chinese market. Meanwhile, Chinese-backed infrastructure projects, including Belgrade’s ring road and Gornji Milanovac’s ring road, have been completed and are integral to Serbia’s national development. Xi emphasised that China-Serbia friendship is unique, supported by strong historical foundations and cooperative practices. He urged both nations to strengthen youth and cultural exchanges, and leverage visa-free policies, free trade agreements, and direct flights to expand cooperation across sectors while passing on traditional friendship to future generations. During the same event, Xi awarded Vučić the Friendship Medal of the People’s Republic of China. The Serbian president described it as ‘one of the most important moments of my life’ and reaffirmed his commitment to deepening bilateral ties and building a China-Serbia community with a shared future. Shared Future During the meeting, Xi noted that China and Serbia share similar historical experiences in overcoming challenges and uphold values of resilience, national independence, and dignity. Both nations also share a common understanding of the importance of peaceful development, justice, and equality. In May 2024, Serbia became the first European country to agree on building a community with a shared future with China in the new era. Since then, bilateral cooperation has expanded beyond infrastructure to include technology, green energy, and artificial intelligence (AI). Following the meeting, the two countries issued a joint statement supporting China’s four global initiatives: the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and Global Governance Initiative (GGI). Serbia views these initiatives as vital in addressing global development challenges, strengthening international security, fostering inter-civilisational dialogue, and improving global governance. In support, Serbia has joined the Group of Friends of the GDI and GGI, demonstrating its commitment to deepening cooperation with China on international governance and global development. Xi also called for continued coordination on international issues, upholding genuine multilateralism, and working together to build a more equitable and orderly multipolar world order. He also stressed the importance of promoting inclusive economic globalisation that benefits all parties, as well as