Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic delivers a speech during the signing ceremony of an expressway project in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 7, 2026. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)
BELGRADE, May 7 (Xinhua) -- A 1.3-billion-euro (1.5-billion-U.S. dollars) contract to build a high-speed road in Serbia was signed by the Serbian government and Chinese infrastructure giant Shandong Hi-Speed Group on Thursday.
The new expressway will connect the central and eastern regions of Serbia, and the collaboration is expected to further strengthen the strategic and economic partnership between China and Serbia.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attended the signing ceremony which was held at the Villa "Mir" in Belgrade. Vucic emphasized that the new expressway will seamlessly link the southern suburbs of the capital, Belgrade, with the northern Sumadija and Pomoravlje regions in the heart of Serbia.
The road has been named after the Serbian revolutionary Petrovic Karadjordje, Vucic explained, "because he originated from that region and fought for it." Karadjordje was the leader of the First Serbian Uprising in early 19th century.
Vucic added that the expressway contract will also contribute to Serbia's GDP growth, driving increases in wages and pensions for its citizens.
Reflecting on Serbia's strong bilateral ties with China, Vucic thanked the Chinese partners for their efficiency, seriousness and responsibility. He also highlighted the mutual respect between the two nations and underlined that the country's recent infrastructure boom has been largely driven by successful partnerships with Chinese companies like Shandong Hi-Speed Group.
The agreement approves the first phase of the project in which the first 83 kilometers of the road will be built. The second phase, which should be completed by 2035, will see the expressway spanning a total of 125 kilometers.
It will stretch from the Belosavci interchange, through Raca, to Markovac, where it will connect with Pan-European Corridor X, a vital transport and trade route running through the Balkans.
Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming praised the project as a critical infrastructure component of the "Serbia 2035" development plan, and a significant testament to the enduring relationship between China and Serbia.
"I am confident that the Chinese company will complete the project adhering to the highest standards, and in accordance with the schedule agreed upon by both sides," Li stated, expressing hope that continued infrastructure cooperation would help build a shared future for China and Serbia.
The Serbian government and Chinese infrastructure giant Shandong Hi-Speed Group sign a commercial contract for an expressway project in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 7, 2026. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)
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