Why China-Serbia ties face scrutiny, not severance, after historic Vucic loss

Massive crowds, fireworks and dancing have filled the streets across Belgrade since Serbia’s nationalist strongman Aleksandar Vucic conceded defeat in Sunday’s parliamentary election after 14 years in power.

The political shift could cool diplomatic ties between Beijing and Belgrade and invite sharper scrutiny of Chinese investments in Serbia, but was unlikely to upend a relationship built on years of cooperation, analysts argued.

Vucic conceded the defeat of his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party to a grass-roots movement called Student List about an hour and a half after polls closed, setting off waves of celebrations around the country.