New Chapter in China Serbia “Ironclad Friendship”: President Vučić Awarded the Friendship Medal

Beijing — Chinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić held talks in Beijing on Monday. Praising the “ironclad friendship” between the two countries, the two leaders expressed their commitment to expanding cooperation, from transportation to emerging sectors and people to people exchanges.

President Vučić is in China from May 24 to 28 for his first state visit. He had previously visited China to attend various international events, including the commemoration ceremony last September marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti Fascist War.

Xi said that since his state visit to Serbia in 2024, the two sides had opened a new chapter in building a China Serbia community with a shared future in the new era. He noted that this has benefited the peoples of both countries and set an example for state to state relations. The strong friendship between the two countries, he said, is rooted in profound historical logic and a solid practical foundation.

During the visit, Xi awarded Vučić the Friendship Medal, the highest honor of the People’s Republic of China. Xi said the medal not only represents high recognition of President Vučić’s contribution to China Serbia friendship, but also symbolizes the sincere expectations of the two peoples for building a community with a shared future in the new era.

Vučić described the moment as one of the most important events of his life. He said China has always been a country that respects small nations, stands with them in difficult times, and supports their development. Serbia, he said, will never forget China’s support. He also pledged to remain devoted to Serbia China friendship and to advance the building of a community with a shared future.

During the talks, the two presidents reached consensus on aligning Serbia’s development strategy with China’s 15th Five Year Plan for 2026 to 2030, implementing the medium term action plan for Belt and Road cooperation, and advancing cooperation in areas including transportation, energy and infrastructure. They also agreed to expand cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green energy and advanced manufacturing.

After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of more than 20 cooperation documents covering politics, economy and trade, science and technology, education, legal affairs, culture and other fields. A joint statement on continuously promoting the building of a China Serbia community with a shared future in the new era was also issued, along with statements on the joint implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative.

Before the talks, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony and a banquet for Vučić and his wife Tamara Vučić at the Great Hall of the People.