Serbian officials praised their "steel friendship" with China on October 28 during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi amid fears in the West that by investing heavily in the Balkan state, Beijing is trying to exert its political influence in this part of Europe. ...
Serbia, a candidate country for the European Union, and China have rapidly revitalized economic and political relations in recent years, with Chinese firms buying Serbia's major copper and steel mills and building roads, factories and railways.
China, which sees Serbia as an important entry point to Europe for its Belt and Road Initiative, also exports other products.
It is estimated that China invested about US $ 10 billion in Serbia between 2005 and 2019.
China bought Serbia's only steel mill in 2016, and the two sides often refer to their relationship as a "steel friendship."