Serbia’s leader boosts China ties amid unrest at home

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić wrapped up a five-day visit to Beijing this week, just as thousands of opponents took to the streets of Belgrade demanding change. While Vučić signed over 20 deals with Chinese leaders covering everything from trade to education, back home police clashed with protesters who say his government has ignored a deadly station collapse and let graft grow. The visit showed how Vučić is leaning hard on China even as his own people grow restless.China’s Xi Jinping handed Vučić a friendship medal and praised Serbia for sticking to its own path, saying both countries should share ideas on running governments and boosting tech like artificial intelligence. Their joint statement urged nations to avoid turning human rights into political weapons, stressing equal rights and rule-based behavior. Yet Vučić’s critics argue his big infrastructure deals with Chinese firms mask deeper problems—like shady contracts and little transparency. Belgrade’s protests began after a station roof fell in late 2024, killing scores and sparking outrage over safety and corruption. Vučić’s government has pushed forward with flashy projects, many bankrolled by Chinese loans, but many Serbs see these as more about politics than progress. Vučić himself wrote that Europe often views China with distrust, urging a calmer, more open approach rather than fear.