Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Serbia on Tuesday evening accompanied by MIG-29 fighter jets as part of a closely guarded visit to mark the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy that killed three Chinese journalists, Serbian media reported.
Belgrade, after France, is the second stop on Xi Jinping’s first visit to Europe in five years, which also includes Hungary. In Serbia, considered China’s most important partner in the Balkans, Xi Jinping is expected to discuss China’s multi-billion dollar investments in the country and possible new deals.
Today’s talks between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Xi Jinping are expected to be highly anticipated, and will centre on potential new agreements that could strengthen economic cooperation. Chinese investment has already penetrated key sectors such as mining and infrastructure development, with Beijing committing significant funds to projects across Serbia.
For Xi Jinping, this European tour is an important diplomatic exercise, signalling China’s desire to strengthen partnerships amid global uncertainty. Previous meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have focused on trade difficulties with Europe and exploring opportunities for Chinese influence over Russia, particularly to ease tensions over Ukraine.
The streets of Belgrade were decorated with Chinese flags and posters as thousands of police officers were deployed to provide security for Xi Jinping and his entourage of 400, the highest profile visit by a foreign leader in years.
On 7 May 1999, 20 Chinese nationals were injured and three killed in a NATO attack, sparking outrage in China and an apology from then US President Bill Clinton.
