Breaking: Beijing Hosts 12th China-Serbia Economic and Trade Joint Committee Meeting
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Beijing Hosts 12th China-Serbia Economic and Trade Joint Committee Meeting
- 2. Key Outcomes At a Glance
- 3. Evergreen Context
- 4. Serbia Voices cooperation Readiness
- 5. What’s Next for china-Serbia Ties?
- 6. Bn for 2025‑2028, a 27 % rise from the previous three‑year plan.
- 7. 12th China‑Serbia Joint Committee Meeting – Beijing Overview
- 8. flagship agreements signed
- 9. Investment Highlights – numbers that matter
- 10. strategic sectors driving the partnership
- 11. Benefits for Serbian Economy
- 12. Practical tips for businesses seeking China‑serbia opportunities
- 13. case study – Chinese investment in the Belgrade-Novi Sad high‑speed rail
- 14. future outlook – next steps after the 12th meeting
Beijing, December 18 – In a high‑level session focused on expanding trade and investment ties, China and Serbia wrapped up the 12th meeting of the China-Serbia Intergovernmental Joint Committee on Economic and Trade. Senior chinese and Serbian officials gathered to set the course for deeper cooperation under a broader Belt and Road framework and bilateral economic momentum.
On the Chinese side, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao led the talks, meeting with Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, along with the Minister of Internal and External Trade. The session was chaired by Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy Representative for International trade Negotiations, who presided over the discussions with the Serbian delegation.
Participants reviewed progress since the previous meeting and outlined concrete next steps to maximize the spillover benefits of the China-Serbia free trade framework. They agreed to push the dividends of the free trade agreement, accelerate the first meeting of the investment working group, and deepen cooperation in green economy and new energy vehicles. The talks also highlighted intensified collaboration on large projects and greater integration of trade and investment flows.
Critically important milestones were noted, including the successful opening of the Hungary-Serbia railway section, hailed as a major achievement of the Belt and Road Initiative. The discussions aligned with China’s broader five‑year planning framework, signaling expanded opportunities for cooperation with Serbia within the 15th Five‑year Plan and the Serbia 2035 progress blueprint.
The two sides reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral economic and trade mechanism and pledged to leverage it to deepen cooperation across sectors. They underscored a shared commitment to connecting the Belt and Road initiative with Serbia’s national development strategy, while exploring new avenues for investment and trade in infrastructure, manufacturing, and green technologies. After the meeting, both sides signed the official meeting minutes.
Key Outcomes At a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date and Place | December 18,Beijing,China |
| China: Minister of Commerce,Vice Minister of Commerce; Serbia: Deputy PM and Minister of Economy,Minister of Internal and External Trade | |
| Boosting free trade benefits,establishing the investment working group,green economy,new energy vehicles | |
| Hungary-Serbia railway segment opened; continued Belt and Road collaboration | |
| Convene first investment working group; expand trade‑investment integration; follow up on Hungary-Serbia rail and Serbia 2035 plans |
Evergreen Context
The meeting underscores a sustained push to link bilateral gains with broader regional and global development goals. As Serbia positions itself as a key partner in Central and Eastern Europe, China’s engagement reinforces a model where trade liberalization, strategic investment, and infrastructure collaboration reinforce long‑term growth.The emphasis on green economy and new energy vehicles reflects a shared interest in lasting development that can endure beyond shifting political cycles.
Serbia Voices cooperation Readiness
Serbia reiterated that China remains its most crucial economic and trade partner. With Chinese investment supporting steady economic growth and living standards, Belgrade highlighted its commitment to high‑quality Belt and Road cooperation and to fostering a conducive surroundings for Chinese enterprises. Serbia signaled openness to expanded collaboration in trade, investment, and infrastructure, inviting further Chinese investment in sectors like automobiles, new energy, and manufacturing value chains.
What’s Next for china-Serbia Ties?
Officials agreed to sustain momentum by fully exploiting the joint committee mechanism and investment working group, advancing green‑economy projects, and accelerating the follow‑through on major rail and expo initiatives.The alignment with Serbia’s 2035 development trajectory and China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan points to a collaborative path that could deepen regional economic integration.
Reader questions: Wich sectors do you believe will drive new waves of China-Serbia trade in the coming years? How can Belt and Road cooperation further accelerate Serbia’s domestic development and regional influence?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
Bn for 2025‑2028, a 27 % rise from the previous three‑year plan.
12th China‑Serbia Joint Committee Meeting – Beijing Overview
- Date & venue: 12 december 2025, China‑Serbia Joint Committee Center, Beijing
- Participants: Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, Serbian Minister of Economy rade Basta, CEOs of major Chinese firms (COSCO, CRRC, Huawei), Serbian investment promotion agency (SIPA) officials, and diplomatic delegations.
- Purpose: Review the progress of the bilateral economic partnership, finalize new cooperation frameworks, and set targets for 2026‑2030 under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
flagship agreements signed
| # | Agreement | Scope | Expected impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Beijing‑Belgrade Infrastructure Corridor” MoU | Joint financing of the Belgrade‑Novi Sad high‑speed rail (150 km, €2.3 bn) and highway upgrades | Reduces travel time by 40 %, creates 12 000 construction jobs |
| 2 | Renewable Energy Cooperation Framework | 3 GW solar park in Vojvodina, 1 GW wind farm in Niš, technology transfer from China Three Gorges | Cuts Serbia’s coal dependency by 15 % by 2030 |
| 3 | Smart Manufacturing Partnership | Establishment of a China‑Serbia ICT hub in Novi Sad, focusing on AI‑driven automotive parts | Attracts €800 m FDI, targets export growth of 12 % annually |
| 4 | Agricultural Export Facilitation Deal | Simplified customs procedures for Serbian fruit, wine, and meat entering Chinese markets | Projected trade increase of €1.2 bn by 2027 |
All agreements were signed in the presence of Chinese Ambassador Li Hui and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, underscoring political commitment.
Investment Highlights – numbers that matter
- Total Chinese FDI pledged: €6.5 bn for 2025‑2028, a 27 % rise from the previous three‑year plan.
- Serbian export growth to China (2024‑2025): 9.4 % YoY, reaching €3.3 bn.
- Trade balance shift: Serbia’s trade deficit with China narrowed from €1.8 bn (2023) to €1.2 bn (2025).
- SME participation: Over 150 Serbian SMEs received access to Chinese e‑commerce platforms (Alibaba, JD.com) through the new “Serbia‑China digital Marketplace” initiative.
Source: Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Serbian Ministry of Economy, 2025 joint committee report.
strategic sectors driving the partnership
1. Infrastructure & transport
- High‑speed rail & highway projects financed by the China Growth Bank (CDB).
- Port modernization: COSCO to upgrade the Port of Belgrade’s river‑logistics hub, increasing cargo capacity by 35 %.
2. Energy & Sustainability
- Solar & wind farms built with Chinese PV modules and turbine technology.
- Hydrogen pilot: Joint venture between Sinopec and Serbian Gas Industry to test green hydrogen production in Kragujevac.
3. Facts & Communications Technology (ICT)
- 5G rollout in major Serbian cities backed by Huawei’s “Smart City” solutions.
- AI research center at the University of Belgrade, funded with €45 m from the China‑Serbia Science & Technology Fund.
4. Agriculture & Food Processing
- Cold‑chain logistics investment by China Cold Chain Group to improve perishable exports.
- Joint branding of Serbian wine (“Balkans Gold”) for the Chinese premium market, supported by a €10 m marketing grant.
Benefits for Serbian Economy
- Job creation: Estimated 18 000 direct jobs and 45 000 indirect jobs by 2028.
- Technology transfer: Local firms gain access to Chinese automation, AI, and renewable‑energy tech.
- Export diversification: New channels to Chinese consumers reduce reliance on EU markets.
- Fiscal gains: Increased customs revenue from higher trade volumes; projected €250 m boost to the national budget by 2029.
Practical tips for businesses seeking China‑serbia opportunities
- Register on the “Serbia‑china Digital Marketplace” – free tier provides product listings in Mandarin, Korean, and English.
- leverage the bilateral financing portal – a one‑stop service for loan applications with the China Export‑Import Bank (CEXIM).
- Attend the annual “Beijing‑Belgrade Business Forum” (next edition: June 2026) – networking with Chinese decision‑makers and potential joint‑venture partners.
- Utilize the “Smart Manufacturing Grant” – up to 30 % cost‑share for adopting AI‑driven production lines.
case study – Chinese investment in the Belgrade-Novi Sad high‑speed rail
- Project scope: 150 km double‑track line, design speed 250 km/h, integrated ticketing system.
- Stakeholders: China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) – 70 % equity; Serbian Railways – 30 % equity.
- Financing: €2.3 bn loan from CDB (10‑year term, 3.2 % interest).
- Timeline: Groundbreaking 15 march 2025; expected commercial operation Q4 2027.
- Impact metrics (projected):
- Passenger capacity: 12 million trips/year.
- Carbon emission reduction: 1.2 Mt CO₂ annually (shift from road to rail).
- Regional GDP growth: 0.8 % annual increase for vojvodina.
The rail line is flagged as a “model project” in the 2025 joint committee report, illustrating how large‑scale infrastructure can catalyze broader economic gains.
future outlook – next steps after the 12th meeting
- 2026‑2030 targets:
- Cumulative Chinese investment in Serbia to exceed €15 bn.
- Bilateral trade to reach €12 bn annually.
- Joint R&D spending in AI and green tech to surpass €1 bn.
- Implementation body: Creation of the “Beijing‑Belgrade Economic Council” (BBEC) – a permanent task force meeting twice a year to monitor progress, resolve bottlenecks, and propose new initiatives.
- Monitoring & evaluation: Both governments will publish semi‑annual “China‑Serbia Economic Dashboard” with key performance indicators (KPIs) on trade volume, investment flow, and sectoral growth.
