From May 24 to 28, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic paid a state visit to China. The visit marked his first state visit to China and yielded substantial outcomes. The visit was highlighted by the signing of two joint statements: one on continuously promoting the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era and another on jointly promoting the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative.
President Vucic also received the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China. In addition, the two sides signed multiple cooperation agreements covering areas such as economics, trade, science, and technology.
"This is a very important visit, with very important outcomes and a big delegation, and I think it is a great privilege that we are members of a nation whose president receives that honorary medal," said Bojan Lalić, director of the Belt and Road Institute Belgrade, underscoring the profound nature of this milestone.
He noted that this sends a clear message that Serbia is not leaving the way to a brighter future together with China.
Ironclad friendship entering a new stage
Bojan Lalić regarded the latest joint statement as a clear roadmap of what a shared future entails. He also noted that the overall cooperation path has grown even stronger over the last two years.
On the global stage, he observed that this strengthening of ties comes at a fluid and turbulent time. He argued that the joint vision fills critical gaps in contemporary international relations by prioritizing peaceful economic development over conflict.
He added that when a nation acts as a global constructor of relations rather than merely of physical infrastructure, it helps steer the world from a unipolar to a multipolar system, as China is currently doing.
Bojan Lalić stated that China's role is not that of a global policeman, but rather that of a global friend and peacemaker. He added that China offers an alternative path of peaceful development without international conflicts.
Substantial outcomes for a shared future
Practical cooperation between the two sides has consistently delivered tangible results.
Infrastructure and high-tech collaboration remain cornerstone areas of achievement. This is particularly evident in Chinese support for the construction of the Belgrade-Budapest Railway and the expansion of electric vehicle partnerships.
Bojan Lalić described these high-tech deployments as milestones in development history and as gifts from China to mankind, particularly to Europe. He emphasized Serbia's ambition to serve as a bridge for facilitating smooth transitions, products, and ideas between China and Western Europe.
Regional cooperation in the bigger picture
Regional exchanges are also opening up new dimensions for growth, particularly through the deepening of connections with one of China's high-tech hubs, Guangdong Province.
Bojan Lalić pointed out that cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai, within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), provide a structured model for economic zones.
The direct flight between Belgrade and Guangzhou, combined with existing free trade and visa-free policies, are also expected to facilitate access to advanced technologies and innovation management that Serbia needs. Bojan Lalić noted that this successful model could also help Serbia in creating its own dynamic economic zones.
By aligning China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) with Serbia's own development strategies, the two nations have reinforced the framework for a joint path. This robust partnership serves as a key puzzle piece in building a broader global community with a shared future.
Reporter & Video recording | Guo Chuhua
Video editing | Guo Hongda
Poster | Lai Meiya
