Serbian special forces carried out a 10-day joint military training exercise with Chinese forces, according to Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The exercise Peace Guardian 2025 ended on July 28 and involved Serbia’s 72nd Special Operations Brigade alongside a special forces unit from China’s People’s Liberation Army. It was held in Hebei Province near Beijing.
🇷🇸🇨🇳 Serbian and Chinese Army complete the first joint training in China’s Hebei province
⚔️From 19th to 28th July , members of the 72nd Brigade for Special Operations of the Serbian Army and a special brigade of the People’s Liberation Army of China conducted a 10-day joint… pic.twitter.com/r0MgH3NSl6
— Serbia in English (@serbiainenglish) July 30, 2025
These were the first joint exercises held between China and Serbia, a nation seeking European Union (EU) membership while also maintaining close ties with both Beijing and Moscow.
According to Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the training included urban and rural combat scenarios, drone tactics, firearms drills, and mountaineering operations.
Serbia’s Ministry of Defence said the training “provided an opportunity for members of both armies to exchange experiences, compare knowledge, and enhance their skills in applying tactics, techniques, and procedures.”
“The Chinese unit demonstrated an exceptional level of organisation and professionalism and was an excellent host to the members of the Serbian Army,” the ministry added.
On the day the exercise was made public, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Serbia’s support on issues of “core interest,” reaffirming what both countries have called a “steel friendship.”
In recent years, despite warnings from Brussels and Washington, Serbia has pursued closer military ties with Beijing, purchasing CH-92A drones in 2020 and FK-3 air defense systems in 2022, making it the first European operator of such equipment.
Serbia’s trade and infrastructure ties with China have also deepened, with Chinese imports reaching €5.13 billion ($5.6 billion) in 2024 and Chinese companies involved in major state-backed projects.
Following the announcement of the joint training, the EU called on Serbia to avoid actions and statements that run counter to the bloc’s positions.
“We need Serbia to assure us of its strategic orientation,” an EU spokesperson told Radio Free Europe.
NATO and the U.S. State Department have not yet commented on the joint military exercises between Serbia and China.
