Serbian Opposition Slams China Ties as Exploitative, Debt-Ridden

Dušan Nikezić, vice-president of the Party of Freedom and Justice, has sharply criticized Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's strategic partnership with China. Nikezić argues that the cooperation primarily benefits China through the exploitation of Serbia's natural resources and saddles the country with debt, characterizing the relationship as neocolonial.

Nikezić pointed to a substantial trade imbalance, stating that Serbia exports cheap raw materials to China while importing expensive finished goods, resulting in a trade deficit that has ballooned to 4.5 billion euros. He also noted that Chinese companies are undertaking most major infrastructure projects in Serbia, financed by approximately 20 billion euros in planned loans.

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China is not investing in Serbia, but excessively exploiting our most valuable natural resources.

"China is not investing in Serbia, but excessively exploiting our most valuable natural resources," Nikezić stated. He cited the example of the Zijin mining company, which he claims generates 1.8 billion euros in annual profit while polluting eastern Serbia and contributing to a 28% decrease in the young population in Bor.

Nikezić urged Serbia to pursue partnerships with China based on mutual benefit, rather than what he described as a "subservient policy" that is leading the country toward debt bondage. He called for a shift towards a more equitable and advantageous relationship for Serbia.

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subservient policy