Serbian President Vucic recently pointed out during his inspection of a Chinese owned factory in Nis that the economic and trade cooperation between Serbia and China has achieved great achievements that make the two peoples proud. From 2013 to 2024, Serbia's exports to China increased from 22 million US dollars to 1.9 billion US dollars, a growth of about 85 times. China has become Serbia's largest source of foreign direct investment. He sighed and said, "The economic and trade cooperation between Serbia and China has achieved great achievements that make both peoples proud. Investment from Chinese enterprises is crucial for Serbia's economic and social development and the creation of employment opportunities

85 fold growth in 11 years, China's largest source of investment in Chengsai

A set of data witnessed the rapid development of economic and trade cooperation between China and Serbia. From 2013 to 2024, Serbia's exports to China increased from 22 million US dollars to 1.9 billion US dollars, a growth of approximately 85 times; During the same period, China's direct investment in Serbia increased from 22.2 million euros to 1.4 billion euros.  

China has become the largest source of foreign direct investment for Serbia. Chinese enterprises' investment in Serbia covers multiple fields such as steel, infrastructure, mining, and energy. The cooperation between Hebei Iron and Steel Smederevo Steel Plant, Zijin Bor Copper Mine, and Hungary Serbia Railway has revitalized Serbia's economy and greatly promoted its modernization process.  In a recent interview, the Chairman of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Chadairi, stated that the annual growth rate of Serbia's exports to China has continued to exceed 50% in recent years. The Serbia China Free Trade Agreement, which will come into effect in 2024, has opened up a new channel for Serbian goods to enter the Chinese market. Chadairi pays special attention to the progress of the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port and believes that Serbian enterprises can take this opportunity to actively explore the potential for cooperation with China in tropical agriculture, high-end tourism, medical health and other fields.  

From openness to high-level openness, the cooperation mode is deeply compatible

Katarina Zakic, director of the the Belt and Road Regional Research Center of the Serbian Institute of International Political Economy, believes that from "opening up" to "high-level opening up", the evolution of China's opening-up policy is deeply consistent with Serbia's development needs. Serbia is committed to economic structural transformation, hoping to transform from a raw material exporting country to a country with modern industry and innovation capabilities, and China's technology, experience, and market are crucial to Serbia.  

Currently, China Serbia cooperation is expanding into areas with higher technological content and stronger innovation. Zaki ć stated that Serbia looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in areas such as renewable energy, smart industry and agriculture, communication technology, and medicine. In some areas, substantial progress has been made in cooperation between the two countries. For example, companies from both countries are collaborating to build a green hydrogen production facility in Bor city. In addition, Chinese electric vehicle companies have planned to invest in building factories in Serbia, which is expected to drive the development of the local automotive industry chain.

Under the strategic guidance of the head of state, pragmatic economic and trade cooperation is flourishing

Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming pointed out that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, pragmatic economic and trade cooperation between China and Serbia has flourished. Both sides have jointly implemented a large number of infrastructure and investment projects, making positive contributions to the construction of Serbia and bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. The Chinese government encourages more competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Serbia and promote high-quality joint construction of the the Belt and Road.  Serbian President Vu č i ć emphasized that Serbia will continue to provide comprehensive support for Chinese enterprises operating in Serbia. This commitment provides a solid guarantee for the continuous deepening of economic and trade cooperation between China and Serbia, and also brings more benefits to the people of both countries. Keywords: international news, the Belt and Road information

The cooperation between China and Serbia has never stopped, from the automotive parts manufacturing plant in Nis to the green hydrogen project in Bor, from the Smederevo steel plant of Hebei Iron and Steel to the Hungary Serbia railway. Under the cooperation mode of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win results, the economic and trade relations between the two countries are moving into a broader fast lane, providing a model for international economic and trade cooperation under the framework of the the Belt and Road Initiative.Editor/Yang Meiling