Xi Jinping’s True Intentions in Serbia

In Serbia, a non-sanctioning country against Russia, Xi will clearly express his intention to cooperate with Russia

It has been reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping is planning to visit Serbia next month, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Serbia.

Bloomberg reported on the 23rd (local time), quoting an anonymous source, that President Xi is expected to visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, around the 7th of next month, marking the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by U.S. forces. The specific schedule includes attending the victims’ annual memorial service held at the Belgrade Chinese embassy.

In 1999, during the Kosovo conflict, the Chinese embassy in Belgrade was bombed by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces, resulting in the deaths of three Chinese journalists. The U.S. government claimed that it was an accidental bombing due to a map error. This incident sparked anti-U.S. protests in China and led to China’s distrust of NATO.

Anti-U.S. sentiment has also contributed to drawing China and Russia closer. Western countries’ sense of caution escalated as the relationship between China and Russia strengthened.

Neil Thomas, a researcher at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s China Analysis Center, analyzed, “By visiting Serbia, a country that has not imposed sanctions against Russia, President Xi will demonstrate China’s support for Russia and its intention to strengthen cooperation. The key role of this close relationship is to balance against the United States.”