Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has lauded the remarkable progress of China’s high-speed rail project connecting Belgrade to Budapest, Hungary. The project, spearheaded by a Chinese company, has drawn attention for its potential to reshape transportation infrastructure in the region.
Part of China’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative, the high-speed rail network aims to enhance connectivity and foster economic development across multiple nations. Launched in 2013, the initiative seeks to bolster infrastructure investments in Asia, East Africa, and Eastern Europe.
China’s efforts to bolster relations with Serbia and Hungary have been evident, with President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to both countries underscoring the growing ties between China and Europe. Despite Serbia and Hungary’s warm relations with Russia, China’s principal ally, the two nations have embraced Chinese investments in infrastructure.
The newly unveiled train, capable of reaching speeds up to 200 kilometers per hour and accommodating 250 passengers, symbolizes the tangible progress of the Belgrade-Budapest railway project. Serbia has already committed to purchasing five trains from the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation for use on the line, which is currently under construction.
President Vucic commended the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) for its exemplary work on the railway project, praising the company as a ‘miracle’ for its remarkable achievements in Serbia. The completion of the Belgrade-Novi Sad rail line and plans for further extensions highlight the transformative potential of Chinese investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure.
