Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Serbia
Relationship assessment
A close strategic partnership marked by trade, infrastructure cooperation, and mutual diplomatic support
People's Republic of China toward Serbia
+75China has developed a comprehensive strategic partnership with Serbia and pursued cooperation in infrastructure, investment, and trade. The bilateral free trade agreement, which took effect in 2024, deepened the economic relationship. China also supports Serbia’s position on Kosovo.
Serbia toward People's Republic of China
+70Serbia has pursued strategic and economic cooperation with China, including infrastructure and investment projects, and entered a bilateral free trade agreement that took effect in 2024. Serbia supports China’s position on Taiwan and has maintained close high-level ties with the Chinese government.
Overall relationship
+70The relationship is underpinned by a formal strategic partnership, expanding economic arrangements including a free trade agreement, and alignment on important sovereignty issues. These enduring features make the bilateral relationship substantially cooperative, while the extent and effects of individual projects remain uncertain.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
China and Serbia maintain a close strategic partnership, with substantial cooperation in trade, infrastructure, investment, and high-level diplomacy. Their governments have reinforced ties through a comprehensive strategic partnership and a bilateral free trade agreement. Serbia supports China’s position on Taiwan, while China supports Serbia’s position on Kosovo. Cooperation is extensive, though the precise implementation and scope of some projects and agreements remain unclear.
Key developments
China and Serbia established a comprehensive strategic partnership during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Serbia.
China and Serbia signed a bilateral free trade agreement.
The China–Serbia free trade agreement entered into force.
Major uncertainties
- The implementation and economic effects of the China–Serbia free trade agreement are still developing.
- The scope and long-term terms of Chinese-backed infrastructure and investment projects are unclear.