Serbia's Vucic deepens ties with China as he faces pressure from protests at home
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic strengthened ties with China during a visit to Beijing, signing over 20 cooperation agreements in areas including politics, trade, technology, and education.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital economy, and green energy, while supporting Serbia's development path and governance exchange.
- Both countries pledged to avoid politicizing human rights issues and to promote sovereign equality, multilateralism, and international law, with Xi awarding Vucic a "friendship medal."
- Vucic faces significant political pressure at home, with recent large anti-government protests in Belgrade demanding accountability and transparency following a deadly train station collapse in 2024.
- Despite Serbia's EU aspirations, Vucic advocates for closer ties with China and Russia, urging Europe to engage with China without fear or suspicion.