Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic on May 26 met with executives from major Chinese companies, seeking to promote Serbia as a European hub for Chinese investment in energy and advanced manufacturing.

During a five-day visit to Beijing, Vucic met executives from steelmaker HBIS Group, Bank of China, nuclear group China National Nuclear Corporation, as well as technology firms Xiaomi and ARIDGE, according to a post on Instagram.

The talks centred on future capital investment, energy security and Serbia’s ambition to position itself as a regional industrial and technology hub.

“With HBIS and the Bank of China we discussed projects that have contributed to Serbia’s strong and accelerated development in recent years, as well as future large investment plans in which they could participate,” he said.

Energy cooperation featured prominently, with discussions with CNNC focused on “more concrete steps” in potential nuclear development, signalling Belgrade’s interest in diversifying its long-term energy mix.

Vucic also promoted Serbia as a possible  European base for ARIDGE “flying car” technologies, linking potential pilot projects to Expo 2027 in Belgrade.

Separately, he said Xiaomi—one of China’s fastest-growing EV and electronics groups—plans to start producing cars for the European market at the end of 2027, and that Serbia had offered incentives to attract investment.

Earlier in the visit, Vucic toured a Xiaomi electric vehicle facility and invited the company to establish operations in Serbia and take part in EXPO 2027.

China has become one of Serbia’s largest sources of foreign investment in heavy industry and infrastructure. HBIS Group operates a steel plant in Smederevo, while Zijin Mining runs major copper and gold operations in Bor.