Thewesternbalkans.
On the first day of the new year, China’s official Xinhua news agency published a special article summarizing recent statements by a number of countries reaffirming their adherence to the one-China principle. Among them are two Balkan countries – Bulgaria and Serbia. The remaining statements are from Asian countries: Russia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
According to Xinhua, Maya Dimitrova, chairperson of the Bulgaria-China Friendship Group in the Bulgarian National Assembly, noted that Bulgaria adheres to the one-China principle. “Dimitrova said that Bulgaria was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, and has always adhered to the one-China principle, which has been the political foundation of the bilateral diplomatic relations since their establishment in 1949. She also said that during a visit of an important Chinese delegation to Bulgaria this year (2025), leaders of all Bulgarian political parties reiterated Bulgaria’s firm stance on adhering to the one-China principle”, notes Xinhua.
When inspecting the construction of the Chinese-built Danube Corridor fast road in eastern Serbia on December 29, writes Xinhua, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and that Serbia fully supports the one-China principle.
Aleksandar Vucic praised the progress and construction quality of the 68-kilometer highway, linking eastern Serbia to Belgrade and the E75 international route, which is on track for full completion by 2026, with 31.85 kilometers already open. Vucic said the project will boost regional connectivity, economic growth, investment, tourism, and population return. He reaffirmed Serbia’s support for the one-China principle and thanked China for its cooperation, calling the project a major development milestone.
Comment: Xinhua’s information is part of Beijing’s priority foreign policy narrative on the Taiwan issue. Beijing is characterized by communicating the one-China principle in all contacts at the political and diplomatic level with foreign partners.
In this particular case, the selection of the praised countries is of interest. Beijing obviously wants to encourage Serbia and Bulgaria to maintain the friendly level of relations. Bulgaria, a member of the EU, was visited by several Chinese delegations in 2025 in search of cooperation and investment opportunities.
The timing of Xinhua’s publication on the international confirmation of the one-China principle is linked to recent reports of US arms sales to Taiwan, as well as major military exercises by the Chinese armed forces around the island of Taiwan.
