The Presidents of Serbia and China, Aleksandar Vučić and Xi Jinping, signed a joint declaration in Beijing on the further development of the strategic partnership between the two countries, along with more than 23 bilateral agreements covering the fields of economics, technology, education, and energy.
The central document concerns the “building of a Serbia–China community with a shared future in the new era”, while the second joint declaration is dedicated to advancing four global initiatives promoted by China. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of state delegations from both countries.
The most important agreements
Among the most significant agreements are cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, the digital economy, nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, environmental protection, education, and infrastructure development through the Belt and Road Initiative. Documents relating to customs cooperation, the export of food products, and the development of technological innovation were also signed.
Following the meeting, Vučić stated that these talks open the door for continued intensive cooperation with China and stressed that the aim of the visit is to create new jobs and improve citizens’ living standards. He thanked the Chinese leadership for its support of Serbia and assessed that relations between the two countries have reached a historic level.
“Once again, at the end of the day – it is now around 10 p.m. here – I am especially happy and proud of Serbia. Personally, I am pleased with the results of the meetings we held, both in the broader and narrower formats. I believe we will have the opportunity to analyse, especially on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, everything we have managed to achieve, but I believe the doors are now wide open, based on my discussions with President Xi, for a successful continuation of cooperation,” Vučić said.
As he explained, the Serbian delegation came above all “in the interests of the citizens of Serbia”.
“Our purpose was to do something for them, and I believe we have created many opportunities for our country – many opportunities for new jobs for our people, for higher incomes, and, if I may say so, today we aspire to and wish to achieve even better and greater results,” Vučić stated. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised that Beijing wishes to deepen cooperation further with Serbia and supported the continuation of joint projects in the areas of trade, technology, and investment.
President Xi Jinping awarded Vučić the Order of Friendship, which represents the highest state honour of the People’s Republic of China for foreign citizens.
This decoration, awarded by Xi Jinping to Aleksandar Vučić, was established in accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on National Medals and National Honorary Titles, which came into force on 1 January 2016. It is awarded to foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to China’s socialist modernisation, promoted international exchange and cooperation with China, and safeguarded world peace.
Vučić said that “this decoration carries special value, woven from emotion, strength, perseverance, endurance, and the immense mutual respect that characterises the two countries”, adding that it was a particular honour for him that “the decoration was personally presented by Chinese President Xi Jinping, for whom this is only the second time attending such an award ceremony”.
“Dear President Xi, dear friend, it is an exceptional honour and great joy for me, both personally and on behalf of the Republic of Serbia, to receive this highest decoration, the Order of Friendship, from a great friend on the most solemn occasion of this historic visit. I accept this decoration not only in my own name, although today I am the proudest man alive, but on behalf of a numerically small yet proud and dignified nation – on behalf of the Serbian people and all other citizens of Serbia who have fought for their freedom for centuries and cherished freedom above all else,” Vučić said after Xi Jinping personally presented him with the decoration.
(Blic, 26.05.2026)