Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received the highest state decoration of the People's Republic of China for foreign citizens - the Order of Friendship - handed to him personally by President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing (24-28 May 2026). The scene, framed in Serbian media as a „historic moment", reads a bit differently in the rest of the region.

„I accept the order not only in my own name, but in the name of the Serbian people and all citizens of Serbia," Vucic said after the ceremony. Xi, on his side, stated that the Sino-Serbian friendship has „endured a test of blood and fire" and that the partnership is „invaluable amid rapidly changing international circumstances". That is diplomatic translation for something much more concrete: China is happily watching Serbia function as its outpost in the Balkans.

The two leaders signed 23 bilateral agreements. Vucic emphasised that Serbian exports to China grew by 85 percent in the first four months of 2026 compared with the same period last year. This is a huge jump, but the base needs to be seen: if exports a year ago were very small, 85 percent is easy to reach. A number without absolute figures is PR, not analysis.

The context is more interesting. China has investments in Serbian bridges, railways, and mining - and Xi's previous visit to Smederevo in 2015 opened this model. What did China get: a control point on the Southeast European market, entry to the rail corridor towards Budapest, and an export channel for its own tech products. What did Serbia get: money, infrastructure, and a marriage in which the path to the EU becomes ever more complicated.

For Macedonia the question is direct: what does it mean for us when China has a „friend" in Belgrade who openly functions as its agent in the region? Economically - competition for investment money. Diplomatically - another voice in Brussels that will delay our integration. Strategically - less room to manoeuvre.

Vucic got the order. Xi got the strategic advantage. That is the exchange on this trip - and it is no „moment of friendship". It is a page in a large book that has been written since 2015, and which we in the neighbourhood should read carefully.