Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Serbia, marking 25 years since the NATO bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo war. The two countries emphasized their strong political and economic ties, characterized by a mutual wariness of the United States. They signed an agreement to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership and build a shared future. Mr. Xi received a warm reception in Belgrade, with authorities reportedly detaining protesters and mobilizing state workers to show support.
Serbian filmmaker Sara Markovic’s father, a practitioner of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, was taken into custody ahead of Mr. Xi’s visit, highlighting Serbia’s efforts to please China. China demands the removal of protesters and materials associated with Falun Gong during official visits, but most European countries refuse. However, Serbia has shown special reverence for Mr. Xi. China is Serbia’s largest foreign investor, and their close economic relations are based on shared wariness of Western and Soviet powers.
Mr. Xi refrained from mentioning the NATO bombing of the embassy during his visit, opting not to visit the former embassy site that is now a Chinese cultural center in an effort to avoid rekindling anti-American sentiments. China’s views on Western intentions and NATO continue to be skeptical, but Mr. Xi emphasized the importance of the friendship between China and Serbia, forged in shared memory. Serbia and China both view themselves as righteous forces wronged by hostile outsiders, strengthening their bond.
Serbia and China support each other’s territorial claims, with China backing Serbia’s territorial integrity regarding Kosovo and Serbia supporting China’s stance on Taiwan. While public opinion on China has soured in much of Europe due to conflicts like the war in Ukraine, Serbia remains solidly pro-Chinese and looks to China for investment. Despite a widening trade deficit, Serbia hopes to narrow the gap through a new free trade agreement allowing its goods to be exported duty-free, particularly agricultural products like prunes, plums, and blueberries.
President Vucic of Serbia, who attended a gathering in Beijing to celebrate Mr. Xi’s Belt and Road infrastructure program, has maintained close ties to China. The streets of Belgrade were adorned with Chinese flags and billboards welcoming Mr. Xi, with crowds lining the streets to greet him. Serbias’ state-owned television station even interrupted a broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest to cover Mr. Xi’s arrival. Opposition politicians criticized the show of affection as artificially manufactured by the authorities, alleging that street cleaners and state workers were ordered to cheer for Mr. Xi. Despite these criticisms, the visit highlighted the strength of the bond between Serbia and China.
