China and Serbia prepare for the first joint military exercise
China and Serbia are launching their first joint military training exercise, which could have geopolitical consequences for Europe and the global security situation.
China will conduct its first joint military training with the Serbian army this month. As Newsweek reports, this exercise will further deepen relations between Beijing and Belgrade. China has previously strengthened its military ties with other countries, such as Egypt, through joint exercises and is now continuing this trend with Serbia.
The exercise, known as "Peace Guardian-2025," will take place in July in Hebei Province near Beijing and will intensify cooperation between Chinese and Serbian special forces. According to the South China Morning Post , a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, Jiang Bin, stated: "This will be the first joint exercise between the Chinese and Serbian armed forces. It will help strengthen the combat capabilities of the participating troops and deepen cooperation between the two armed forces." Neither China nor Serbia have yet released details about the exercise or the arrival of the Serbian special forces in China.
Serbia maintains close ties with both Russia and China. These partnerships raise concerns in the United States about Serbia's path to European integration. Specialists from Serbia have already completed training with Chinese air defense systems such as the FK-3 and HQ-17AE, which a Serbian officer described as "satisfactory in their combat performance, reliability, and ease of use."
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has reportedly described China as "Serbia's most valuable friend." Chinese President Xi Jinping, at a meeting with Vučić in May, assured the Chinese side that China is ready to intensify strategic communication with Serbia, enhance mutual support, and expand trade and investment cooperation. The goal is to achieve results that bring benefits to both countries and create win-win situations.
The South China Morning Post reports that cooperation between China and Serbia is not limited to military exercises. China has provided Serbia with a variety of military equipment, including transport aircraft, drones, and laser-guided missiles. Serbia is the only European country to use Chinese weapons, although Russia remains its main supplier. China has made extensive investments in Serbia's infrastructure, including the construction of railway lines and the financing of factories and mines.
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