Serbia and China Partner on Major Road, Rail, and Infrastructure Projects

Serbia's Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesić outlines extensive infrastructure projects underway in partnership with China, ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit.

Serbia's Infrastructure Collaboration with China

Serbia is engaged in numerous infrastructure projects with Chinese partners, focusing on roads, railways, and sewers, explained Minister Goran Vesić. These initiatives are a significant part of the strategic ties between the two nations.

Road Projects at the Forefront

Eight major road projects are underway. These include the near-completion of "Miloš Veliki" highway, the Belgrade South Bypass, the Fruškogorsk Corridor, a new bridge on the Novi Sad ring road, the Danube Corridor project, the Belgrade-Zrenjanin-Novi Sad road, a high-speed road from Bački Breg to Srpska Crnja, and two significant projects in Belgrade – a city tunnel and a second Sava River bridge. Negotiations are ongoing for a Chinese-funded highway from Požega to the Montenegro border.

High-Speed Rail Development

Serbia's flagship railway project, the Belgrade-Subotica high-speed route, is nearing completion. The country plans to purchase five high-speed Chinese trains by year-end. Construction of the Belgrade metro is progressing, and a high-speed line to Niš is slated to begin soon. These projects, along with regional routes, will create a 1,521 km high-speed corridor extending from Budapest to Athens.

Sewer Systems and Technological Collaboration

Minister Vesić also noted the importance of sewer infrastructure and Serbia's interest in collaborating with China's innovative companies on artificial intelligence and smart transportation management.

Upcoming Visit by President Xi Jinping

This week, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Belgrade during his European tour. Economic issues and the Free Trade Agreement with China, expected to begin in July, are likely to be high on the agenda.  This visit underscores the close partnership between Serbia and China and highlights the scope of collaborative infrastructure development.