Visiting Europe for the first time in five years, Xi will fly to Hungary later today in what is seen as a bid to underscore ties with pro-Russian, Eastern European countries that have long benefited from Chinese investment.

Addressing the crowds that had gathered outside the presidential palace, Vucic told the throng that the agreements signed with China represented a historic breakthrough. “We are writing history today,” he declared. Quickly drowned out by applause, the announcement was met with chants of “China, China”.

As things stand, Serbia is to become the first European country in several years to enter into a free trade agreement with Beijing when a deal signed last year comes into force on July 1.

Referring to the strengthening ties with China, Vucic said that China had been the largest single investor in Serbia since 2020 and that its investment in Serbia has increased 30-fold over the last ten years. Continuing, he added that the free trade deal that will soon be entered into will serve to guarantee tariff-free exports for around 95% of Serbian exports to China over the next five to ten years.

Xi, meanwhile, pledged that China was ready to receive more high-quality agricultural products from Serbia and would welcome more direct flights between Serbia and China.

"Serbia became China's first strategic partner in Central and Eastern Europe eight years ago, and it becomes the first European country with which we shall build a community with a shared future," Xi said.

Alarming Western analysts, the two leaders also promised to support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, meaning that Serbia recognizes China’s claim to Taiwan, just as China recognizes independent Kosovo to be part of Serbia.

"We shall jointly confront hegemony and the politics of power," Xi emphasized.

Landing in Belgrade late last night, Xi’s visit coincided with the 25th anniversary of NATO’s bombing of the Chinese Embassy. Three Chinese journalists were killed in the airstrike, and the diplomatic rift has shown little sign of healing. Prior to his visit, Xi had penned an open letter published in Politika in which he criticized NATOs actions.