China wants to work with new Serbian government after defeat of Vucic

A China has today expressed its readiness to work with the new Serbian Government after the electoral defeat of populist nationalist Aleksandar Vucic, under whose leadership the relations between Beijing and Belgrade have narrowed.

Chinese Foreign Minister Guo Jiakun said at a press conference that Beijing “always respects the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and the autonomous choice of the peoples of each country”, in reference to the results of the Serbian legislative elections.

“ We attach great importance to the development of relations between China and Serbia and are prepared to work with the new Serbian Government on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, to ensure that bilateral relations progress in a stable and long-term manner,” Guo said.

Vucic, a dominant figure in Serbian politics 12 years ago, recognized on Sunday the defeat in the legislative elections before the Student List of the opposition.

According to unofficial or definitive data from the Ipsos polling institute, the Student List won 140 seats in parliament, against 103 of the conservative Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), of Vucic, which lost 26 deputies in the face of the elections of 2023, when it reached the absolute majority.

The fight against corruption has been one of the main stated objectives of the student movement, which emerged in November 2024, after the death of 16 people in the collapse of a coverage at a renewed railway station under a rather transparent contract awarded to Chinese companies.

China has increased its economic presence in Serbia, where it is already the second largest investor behind the European Union.

Several projects are awarded directly to Chinese companies through intergovernmental agreements.

Vucic, Prime Minister from 2014 to 2017, held the office of President of Serbia for nine years until resigning last September to be able to apply for the leadership of the Government.

During its leadership, relations between the Balkan country and China have deepened significantly.

The two governments classify the bilateral relationship as an “iron friendship”, based on mutual political support on sensitive issues: Beijing does not recognise Kosovo's independence, while Belgrade supports the Chinese position on Taiwan.

In late May, Vucic visited Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

During the visit, the then Serbian President received the Medal of Friendship, the highest Chinese state award awarded to foreign citizens.