Ironclad Alliances: China's Strategic Ties with Serbia and Pakistan

Par He Yin, People's Daily

On May 25, the Great Hall of the People in Beijing welcomed two of China's "ironclad friends." On that day, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, both visiting China. Xi awarded Vucic China's Friendship Medal. These diplomatic engagements not only demonstrated the strategic mutual trust and deep friendship underpinning China-Serbia and China-Pakistan relations but also reflected the defining character of China's major-country diplomacy: commitment to independence, self-reliance, fairness, and justice. They highlighted the broad international recognition of China's positions, ideas, and sense of responsibility. In an era marked by uncertainty, steadfastness is especially valuable. Serbia was the first European country to agree with China on building a community with a shared future in the new era and remains an important partner in Southeast Europe. Xi emphasized that both sides should continue to support each other firmly. China supports Serbia in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and is ready to strengthen exchanges on governance experience. Meanwhile, China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Xi stressed that China has always prioritized China-Pakistan relations in its neighborhood diplomacy, regardless of international changes. The responses from Serbian and Pakistani leaders were sincere and resolute. Vucic stated that Serbia values its relations with China and steadfastly supports China's core interests. Sharif affirmed Pakistan's adherence to the one-China principle and its unwavering support for China's core interests, pledging to remain a good friend and partner. The mutual understanding and close ties between China, Serbia, and Pakistan vividly demonstrate how countries can engage through mutual respect and equality. As international uncertainties grow, the value of cooperation becomes increasingly apparent. Serbia was among the earliest European countries to sign cooperation agreements with China under the Belt and Road Initiative. China-Serbia cooperation has achieved impressive results. China's HBIS Group revitalized the Smederevo steel plant, and the Serbian section of the Hungary-Serbia Railway, a flagship infrastructure project with Chinese participation, is fully operational. The Serbian side hails it as "a gift that benefits future generations." Transport connectivity between the two countries is improving, with direct flights now linking Serbia to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Bilateral trade and people-to-people exchanges continue to gain momentum. During his visit, Sharif witnessed the signing of friendly ties between Chinese and Pakistani provinces, attended the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference, and visited Chinese tech firms, demonstrating Pakistan's resolve to deepen cooperation with China. The practical cooperation trajectories between China, Serbia, and Pakistan show that openness and cooperation remain historical trends, with mutual benefit and win-win outcomes reflecting shared aspirations. In facing global challenges, multilateralism is increasingly a shared consensus. As unilateralism, power politics, and coercive economic measures reshape global affairs, concerns grow over the erosion of international rules. During meetings with Vucic and Sharif, Xi emphasized advancing an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization. The leaders of Serbia and Pakistan expressed strong support for these ideas. Vucic noted that China treats smaller countries with equality and respect, abiding by international law and setting a global example. Serbia supports global initiatives by President Xi and is ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with China to safeguard international peace, fairness, and justice. Sharif stated that President Xi is a great friend of Pakistan and all peace-loving people. Pakistan is willing to closely coordinate with China to promote world peace and stability. The positive responses from the two leaders demonstrate that China, committed to peaceful development and true multilateralism, is a stabilizing force in a turbulent world. The ironclad friendships between China and Serbia and between China and Pakistan continue to inject momentum into building a community with a shared future for humanity. Regardless of international changes, China will pursue friendly cooperation with all countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, sharing development opportunities, safeguarding international fairness and justice, and contributing to world peace and development.