Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s visit to Beijing this week underlined Belgrade’s deepening economic and political ties with China, as he courted major Chinese companies while also meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting Serbia’s careful balancing act between East and West.
Vučić met executives from Zijin Mining Group, a major investor in Serbia’s copper and gold industry, and Guangdong Hongda, a firm specialising in mining engineering and defence systems. He said talks focused on “further development of strategic projects in Serbia,” including environmental safeguards, new jobs and technology transfers.
“They confirmed continued cooperation aimed at developing industry, creating new jobs and preserving natural resources,” Vučić wrote on Instagram after the Zijin meeting. He added that Guangdong Hongda showed “great interest in doing business and investing in Serbia,” presenting plans to modernise mining and engineering projects.
China is already one of Serbia’s largest investors, particularly in mining, energy and infrastructure, often through state-owned giants such as Zijin. The expansion of these ties comes as Serbia remains outside the European Union but pursues EU membership, while facing growing scrutiny over transparency, environmental standards and alignment with EU foreign policy.
Vučić’s presence in Beijing for the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two also highlighted the symbolic aspect of Serbia’s partnership with China. He is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping during his trip, alongside talks with at least a dozen Chinese companies.
At the same time, Vučić’s meeting with Putin underscored Belgrade’s enduring closeness to Moscow, despite Western pressure on Serbia to align with EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. “I am proud of Serbia’s independence and the respect it commands,” Vučić said after the meeting, stressing that Putin had “clearly stated his respect for Serbia’s sovereignty.”
For Serbia, the strategy carries both opportunity and risk. Closer economic cooperation with China and Russia offers investment and political support, but also fuels concerns in Brussels and Washington that Belgrade is drifting away from EU norms.
Analysts say Vučić’s moves are calibrated to extract maximum benefit while avoiding a decisive geopolitical shift. “Vučić is playing a long game – keeping doors open in Beijing and Moscow while assuring Brussels he remains committed to EU membership,” said one political analyst in Belgrade.
As Serbia approaches elections and faces pressure over rule-of-law reforms, the question remains whether Vučić can maintain this balancing act without jeopardising the country’s EU accession prospects – or becoming more dependent on Beijing and Moscow for strategic backing.