In a significant leap for international technological collaboration, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic recently visited a futuristic factory operated by Minth Group in Jiaxing, located in the Chinese mainland's Zhejiang Province. The visit showcased the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, featuring humanoid robots capable of complex interactive functions—including a performance of a traditional Serbian dance.
President Vucic expressed high praise for the robotics technology, describing it as highly creative and noting its potential to fundamentally transform daily life. More importantly, the President highlighted that this innovation will not remain confined to the Chinese mainland, announcing that Serbia will soon begin producing these advanced robots locally.
The partnership is more than a commercial venture; it is a strategic industrial shift. Since 2018, Minth Group has established ten factories in Serbia, employing roughly 3,500 local staff. The new focus on humanoid robots represents a move away from traditional manufacturing toward higher-value segments of the supply chain, aiming to position Serbia as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing in Europe.
This development follows a series of high-level agreements. In November last year, the 7th Session of the China-Serbia Joint Committee Meeting on Scientific and Technological Cooperation prioritized artificial intelligence and the digital economy for pragmatic collaboration. This paved the way for the announcement in February this year, where President Vucic revealed plans to partner with Minth Group and AGIBOT—a Shanghai-based robotics firm—to construct Europe's first large-scale humanoid robot production base, with mass production targeted for 2026.
By combining technical skills transfer with localized production capacity, the project serves as a "technology export" for Chinese firms entering the European market while providing a critical lever for Serbia's own industrial upgrade. This evolution marks a transition in bilateral ties, moving from joint scientific research into the realm of high-end, mass-scale manufacturing.
Reference(s):
China, Serbia deepen AI cooperation to drive industrial upgrade
cgtn.com
