Vučić's claim of exclusive award from China challenged

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić recently stated that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin were the sole recipients of China's prestigious Friendship Order, the highest decoration China bestows upon foreign nationals. This claim, however, has been widely disputed, with evidence suggesting a significantly broader group of recipients.

The Friendship Order, established in 2016, recognizes outstanding contributions to China's socialist modernization, international exchange, cooperation, and world peace. While Vladimir Putin was the first recipient in 2018, publicly available archives, including photographs and videos, reveal that at least 12 other world leaders and politicians have personally received the award from Chinese President Xi Jinping. The award ceremonies typically follow a similar format, with Xi Jinping personally bestowing the medal.

There have been exceptions, such as when recipients were unable to attend, and the award was presented to their ambassadors or family members, as was the case with Raul Castro and the daughter of former Tanzanian Prime Minister Salim Ahmed Salim. Marketing expert Igor Avžner suggests that Vučić's dissemination of easily verifiable misinformation is aimed at a specific segment of his electorate who may lack the means or knowledge to access accurate information online. Avžner points to a pattern of similar statements made by the president in the past, including claims about infrastructure projects and anti-corruption efforts.

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First, but not the most important question is: who is Vučić addressing? Who today is either unable or does not know how to get the correct information on the internet? That is the answer. He is addressing precisely them! That is a huge segment of his voter base.