Lauge Risom Koch 
China is increasingly replacing Russia as Serbia’s key eastern partner, driven by growing trade, investment and political cooperation. Beijing’s expanding role in the Balkans highlights the limits of Moscow’s influence as Serbia seeks economic opportunities without jeopardizing its ties to the European Union.
China is steadily strengthening its position as Serbia’s most important partner in the East, while Russia’s influence continues to diminish amid the fallout from the war in Ukraine.
According to The Insider, Beijing’s growing economic and political presence in Serbia illustrates how China is increasingly filling a role once occupied by Moscow, offering investment and cooperation without complicating Belgrade’s European ambitions.
Friendship with Beijing
According to The Insider, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s recent visit to China highlighted the deepening relationship between the two countries.
During the trip, Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Vučić the Medal of Friendship, China’s highest honor for foreign citizens. The Serbian leader described cooperation with China as “ironclad” and called the visit the most important of his political career.
More than 30 agreements were reportedly signed during the visit, aimed at expanding economic cooperation and attracting new investment.
China’s expanding footprint
The Insider reports that trade between Serbia and China has grown dramatically over the past decade, with Beijing becoming one of Belgrade’s most important economic partners.
Chinese companies have invested heavily in infrastructure, manufacturing, transportation and technology projects across Serbia, including rail links, industrial facilities and preparations for EXPO 2027 in Belgrade.
Serbia has also become the only European country currently purchasing Chinese weapons and military equipment.
Russia loses influence
While Serbia continues to maintain ties with Moscow, The Insider notes that relations have weakened considerably since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Trade between the two countries has declined sharply, high-level political contacts have become less frequent, and Russia’s economic footprint in Serbia is facing growing pressure.
President Aleksandar Vučić, once viewed as one of the Kremlin’s closest partners in Europe, no longer travels to Moscow, while cooperation increasingly takes place through lower-ranking officials.
Balancing foreign policy
Serbia continues to pursue a multi-vector foreign policy built around relations with the European Union, the United States, Russia and China.
However, according to The Insider, China offers Belgrade a partnership that does not require choosing between East and West, making Beijing an increasingly attractive partner as Serbia seeks investment, economic growth and continued progress toward European integration.
The result is a gradual shift in influence, with China becoming more important to Serbia’s future while Russia’s role steadily declines.
Sources: The Insider
