Thewesternbalkans.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić paid a state visit to the People’s Republic of China from 24 to 28 May. At the beginning of his visit, he used a trip to the Great Chinese Wall to extend warm words of appreciation to his hosts, to express his love for the Chinese people and to remind them that the “iron friendship” between Serbia and China is not just a phrase. He wished for more Chinese tourists and investors in Serbia and expressed his excitement for the planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on 25 May.
- Vučić is known in China as “President 577” because the pronunciation of his surname in Chinese resembles the Chinese numerals 5-7-7 (Wu chi chi). He is visiting China for the ninth time and has already received everything he could ask for from China: political support, investments, loans, factories, highways, weapons, a visit by Xi Jinping to Serbia. What more could Vučić ask for from the Chinese? The answer is: more of everything!
Vučić did not hide his excitement before his 15th meeting with Xi Jinping. However, this was his first state visit, and after it he can rest assured: more than 20 documents were signed, providing for the expansion of cooperation, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence and robots.
China will continue to help Serbia overcome difficulties in the Smederevo steel plant or in servicing the $1.2 billion debt in the Bor mines – two of the largest Chinese investments in Serbia. It is also important for Belgrade to continue receiving weapons and military equipment from China.
Vučić said that during the visit, Serbia had secured 953 million euros in new Chinese investments. He also said that the first phase of the production of humanoid robots in Serbia would begin by July 15, as Belgrade expands its ties with Beijing beyond infrastructure – into robotics, artificial intelligence and modern manufacturing.
On the last day of his visit to China, Aleksandar Vučić announced large-scale defense orders. The Serbian president held talks with representatives of NORINCO, AVIC and ALIT. These three companies are the largest suppliers of military equipment to the Chinese military and leaders in the military equipment market. Serbia has already purchased Chinese CM-400AKG supersonic air-to-ground missiles, which are used on the MiG-29. These munitions greatly alarmed the Croatian authorities, who immediately turned to NATO for help. Now, after Vučić’s major visit to China, Belgrade is considering expanding its fleet of Chinese aircraft. It is possible that Chinese fifth-generation fighters will join the Serbian Air Force in service alongside the French Mirage 2000.
In addition to the announced purchases of Chinese weapons, cooperation between Serbia and China is also being established at the level of senior officers. While the Serbian president was in Beijing, representatives of the National Defense University of the People’s Republic of China and cadets aspiring to senior positions in the Chinese defense system visited the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces. The Chinese guests were in Serbia on a multi-day visit as part of a cooperation program with the Belgrade Defense University.
During his visit to China, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić offered leading Chinese automakers the most favorable conditions, including significant state subsidies, to build a plant in Serbia and turn it into a European center for the production of advanced cars. Beijing, in turn, made a tempting offer to Belgrade: a partnership in nuclear energy projects, which would probably include the construction of a nuclear power plant in Serbia by Chinese specialists. The Serbian leader said that nuclear energy was discussed and that the Serbs were “offered incredible conditions that could be our salvation… I am pleasantly surprised by both the price and the deadlines.” Now China’s CNEIC (the largest national nuclear energy corporation) may appear among the contenders for a major energy tender.
The Serbian president’s assessment of the visit was that it was “historic” and “priceless” and of colossal importance for the country’s national interests and future. He stressed that Chinese investments and technologies had revitalized many Serbian factories, mines and roads.
The countries reaffirmed their mutual support at the UN. Serbia firmly adheres to the “one China” policy towards Taiwan, while China supports Belgrade regarding Kosovo and Metohija. Vučić’s talks with Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders confirmed the high level of trust built between the countries over many years. The Serbian leader said that bilateral relations are reaching a historic high. He hopes the visit will be a turning point for bilateral relations and the balance of power in the Balkans. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin recently visited China, and now Xi Jinping is personally hosting Aleksandar Vučić. Serbia is clearly becoming a key partner for the Chinese government and business, and the personal support of the Chinese leader provides carte blanche for the development of cooperation.
Xi awarded Vučić with the Chinese “Medal of Friendship” – a special gift for the first state visit of the Serbian president. The first ceremony for the award was held in 2018, when Russian President Vladimir Putin became the first recipient. In total, 14 foreign citizens have been awarded so far.
Vučić’s visit to China came at a time when Brussels is considering cutting funding due to concerns about democratic backsliding, which is pushing Serbia closer to Chinese investment. Vučić’s trip to China was another “red flag” for Brussels, but the Serbian president said he was not afraid of EU disapproval: “They themselves invest in China and therefore cannot forbid Belgrade from doing the same,” he said. Vučić also ironically noted that Brussels has long raised a “red flag” for Serbia, but despite everything, Belgrade continues to believe in the EU’s objectivity.
