Xi’s Visit to Serbia Strengthens Ties with Eastern Europe | Global News

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Serbia on the second leg of his European tour, aiming to strengthen ties with the Balkan nation amidst strained relations with most of Europe. Xi’s visit comes at a crucial time as the European Union takes a tougher stance on trade with China.

Upon his arrival in Belgrade, Xi was warmly welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and government ministers. This visit follows a two-day trip to France, where Xi engaged in talks with President Emmanuel Macron. In Serbia, Xi is focused on enhancing economic and political cooperation with a country that has been receptive to Chinese trade and investment.

Xi expressed his commitment to deepening China-Serbia relations, stating that cooperation between the two nations serves their fundamental interests. The Chinese leader also acknowledged the 25th anniversary of the deadly US bombing of the Chinese embassy during the 1999 NATO operation in Yugoslavia, vowing to “never forget” the incident.

During his visit, Xi is expected to sign numerous agreements with Serbia, including projects like the high-speed railway linking Belgrade to Budapest. Chinese investment in Hungary and Serbia already exceeds $15 billion, with more investments in the pipeline.

Xi’s trip to Serbia highlights China’s growing influence in Eastern Europe, where countries like Hungary have welcomed Chinese investments. However, the EU remains vigilant about fair trade practices and has warned of deploying measures to protect its economies from subsidized Chinese products.

As Xi continues his diplomatic tour, his interactions with European leaders will shape the future of China-EU relations and the global economic landscape.