China, Serbia to Hold First Joint Military Drill in Hebei

China and Serbia will later this month launch their first-ever joint military exercise, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced on Monday.

Colonel Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the ministry, said the joint drill, dubbed Peace Guardian 2025, will be held in northern China’s Hebei province and will feature special operations troops from both countries.

“This will be the first joint training between the Chinese and Serbian militaries,” Jiang told reporters in Beijing. “It will enhance the combat capabilities of participating troops and further deepen military cooperation between the two sides.”

The announcement marks a new phase in the growing political and strategic ties between Beijing and Belgrade.

In 2024, China emerged as Serbia’s second-largest trading partner after the European Union. During a visit to Serbia last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping described the countries’ friendship as one “soaked in blood that the two peoples spilled together,” referencing their shared history and solidarity. Xi said this bond serves as a driving force for closer collaboration.