The choice of two friendly countries that have their own tensions with Brussels – from inside the bloc in Hungary’s case and from outside in Serbia’s case – is seen as a “safe” choice by diplomatic analysts.
Some of these observers believe the tour will offer China an opportunity to gauge how it is seen in Europe as well as cementing established bonds and pitching its vision of a multipolar world by highlighting a lingering scar in its relations with the West.
“The visits will certainly be a milestone in contemporary relations between China and Europe,” said Stefan Vladisavljev, programme coordinator of the Serbia-based…