https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/0728/c90000-20482258.html

A conference, titled “Serbia and China — Leap into the Future,” was held at Serbia’s National Assembly in Belgrade, bringing together lawmakers, diplomats, business leaders, and representatives of Serbia’s Innovation Fund and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Serbia to discuss cooperation in digital technologies, research, education and sustainable development.

China has become one of Serbia’s main sources of direct investment, with projects spanning mining, manufacturing, energy and transport infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese enterprises claim to have created more than 40,000 jobs in Serbia and now contribute over 20 percent of the country’s economic growth.

Bojan Lalic, director of the Belt and Road Institute in Belgrade, called for expanded academic cooperation and joint training programs, saying education and talent development would be essential to capitalizing on emerging technologies. Representatives of the Innovation Fund said they were ready to strengthen institutional cooperation with Chinese partners through pilot projects, technology commercialization and new financing models for innovative firms. Officials from both sides described the event as part of a broader effort to deepen their strategic partnership by expanding collaboration beyond traditional sectors into emerging technologies and innovation.