On the afternoon of May 25, 2026, President Xi Jinping held talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi noted that during his state visit to Serbia in 2024, the two sides jointly opened a new chapter of building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era. Over the past two years, efforts to build this community have produced positive outcomes, which have not only brought benefits to the two peoples, but also set a fine example for state-to-state relations. The Chinese and Serbian nations have both experienced sufferings and glories, and forged a persevering and tenacious character. Both nations are dedicated to pursuing independence and defending national dignity, and understand the importance of promoting peaceful development and upholding fairness and justice. The two sides need to strengthen exchanges, consolidate mutual trust, deepen cooperation and extend mutual support, and work together to embark on a bright path toward a shared prosperous future, and bring China-Serbia comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights.

President Xi emphasized that the China-Serbia ironclad friendship is unique, and underpinned by deep historical logic and a strong practical foundation. The two sides should continue giving each other firm support. China supports Serbia in following a development path that fits its national conditions, and stands ready to strengthen experience sharing on governance with Serbia. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development lays out the goals for high-quality development on all fronts. The two sides need to strengthen the connection between their development strategies, work for the sound implementation of the mid-term action plan for Belt and Road cooperation, and further advance cooperation in areas such as transport and energy infrastructure. Facing a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation, the two sides need to expand cooperation in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, green energy and advanced manufacturing, and identify new areas of growth. The celebrations themed “70 years of friendship between the Chinese and Serbian peoples” held last year received warm response. The two sides need to continue strengthening youth and people-to-people exchanges, make good use of the policy mix of “visa free + free trade + direct flights,” and fully expand cooperation in culture, education, sports and tourism and at the subnational level, so as to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and Serbian peoples. In a changing and turbulent world, China and Serbia need to continue stepping up coordination and collaboration in international affairs, practice true multilateralism, and make unremitting efforts to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

President Vučić extended congratulations on China’s success in formulating and launching its 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development, and expressed his confidence that under the leadership of President Xi, China will make greater achievements in its development. Since Serbia and China established a comprehensive strategic partnership, relations between the two countries have made remarkable progress, and cooperation has deepened across the board. The Serbian and Chinese peoples enjoy an ironclad friendship. The Serbian people will never forget China’s support for Serbia in safeguarding its independence and sovereignty and in pursuing its own path of development. President Vučić thanked Chinese companies for participating in and making important contributions to Serbia’s national development. Serbia attaches great importance to its relations with China, and remains steadfast in its firm support for China’s core interests. Serbia looks forward to working with China to deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, advance major projects, intensify people-to-people exchanges, and achieve more tangible results in Serbia-China relations. China, as a major country, has always treated smaller countries with equality and respect, and abided by international law, setting a good example for the world. Serbia supports the major global initiatives put forward by President Xi, and stands ready to continue strengthening multilateral coordination with China to safeguard international peace, fairness and justice.

After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of more than 20 cooperation documents in the areas of political relations, economy and trade, science and technology, education, legal affairs and culture.

The two sides issued a joint statement on continuously building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the era and a joint statement on advancing the implementation of the four global initiatives.

Prior to the talks, President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan held a welcome ceremony for President Aleksandar Vučić and Madame Tamara Vučić in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

As President Vučić arrived, honor guards lined up in salutation. After the two presidents stepped onto the reviewing stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and Serbia. A 21-gun salute was performed on the Tian’anmen Square. President Vučić reviewed the guard of honor of the People’s Liberation Army and watched the march-past in President Xi’s company.

On the same evening, President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan held a welcome banquet for President Aleksandar Vučić and Madame Tamara Vučić in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi attended relevant events.