Serbian Special Operations Forces Train in China
From 19-28 July Serbian special forces trained alongside Chinese troops in Heibei province as part of Exercise Peacekeeper 2025. This was the first time Chinese and Serbian troops trained jointly, sparking objections from both the United States and Europe. According to the Serbian Ministry of Defense, the exercise saw Serbian and Chinese forces training in both urban and rural settings. The ministry said the exercise focused “on drone tactics in special forces operations, and the activities also included firearms, tactical, and mountaineering training”. Official statements from both Serbia and China also highlighted how the exercise provided an opportunity to enhance military readiness and develop closer cooperation.
The exercise reflects China’s attempt to build up closer ties with militaries and security services around the world. This type of engagement also helps Chinese troops gain experience, given that the PLA has not fought in any war since 1979. Moreover, it reinforces Chinese diplomatic ties and increases China’s standing as a global power with global reach. Back in 2024, the PLA sent troops to train in Belarus near the Polish border, leading to protests from NATO countries.
Serbia has been an increasingly significant partner for the PRC. Serbia has been buying more and more Chinese military equipment, and security cooperation also penetrates into other spheres. Military-to-military dialogues have become more extensive. There are exchanges between Serbian and Chinese police. Chinese-made surveillance cameras paired with Chinese facial recognition software are now a common site in Belgrade. Beyond the security sphere, Serbia has become one of the biggest recipients of Belt and Road Initiative investments in Europe.
For Serbia, China represents an increasingly reliable and attractive partner as Serbia continues to attempt a balancing act between the Europe, the US, Russia, and China. The war in Ukraine has put a strain on the Ruso-Serbian partnership, and the PRC can help fill that gap and allow the Serbian regime to better resist Western influence.