Vucic Signs 20-Plus China Deals as Serbian Protests Intensify After Weekend Clashes
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 25
Vucic Signs 20-Plus China Deals as Serbian Protests Intensify After Weekend Clashes
7 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 25
More than 20 agreements were signed in Beijing after Aleksandar Vucic met Xi Jinping, expanding Serbia-China cooperation across politics, trade, technology and education.
Xi used the talks to push closer ties in AI, the digital economy and green energy, while the joint statement said both sides oppose politicizing human rights and support sovereign equality and multilateralism.
Vucic, on a five-day state visit, also received a Chinese friendship medal and said Serbia firmly backs China's core interests, underscoring Belgrade's deepening alignment with Beijing.
Tens of thousands rallied against Vucic in Belgrade over the weekend, and clashes with riot police added pressure on him as protests tied to the deadly November 2024 station collapse continue.
Serbia is still seeking EU membership, but its fast infrastructure buildout with Chinese companies and Vucic's call for Europe to engage China without "fear and suspicion" highlight its balancing act.
As Serbia pledges a 'shared future' with China, is its dream of joining the European Union now effectively over?
Are Serbia's new AI and infrastructure deals with China a blueprint for development or a trap for dependency?
While President Vucic accepts medals in Beijing, can his government survive the massive anti-corruption protests at home?