Vucic Inspects Chinese-Built EXPO 2027 Venue as Deadline Looms
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic inspected the EXPO 2027 venue construction site in Surcin, Belgrade, on August 14, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming and First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sinisa Mali. The visit underscored the final phase of a project that represents the largest infrastructure undertaking in Serbia’s recent history and a cornerstone of the deepening partnership between Belgrade and Beijing.
The Serbia Exhibition Center, being constructed by Chinese state-owned enterprise PowerChina, spans approximately 172,000 square meters and includes exhibition halls, corridors, warehouses, and public facilities. Construction began on April 12, 2024, and the project is expected to be delivered to the Serbian side by December 1, 2026.
Final Phase Under Pressure
During the inspection, Vucic emphasized that the project has entered its finishing and interior decoration phase, calling on all parties to intensify efforts to meet the delivery deadline. “Don’t forget that only three and a half months remain until the moment when we have to hand over the keys,” the president said during the site visit, as reported by Blic.
To accelerate progress, approximately 400 workers from China will arrive first, followed by another 1,000 workers, while Serbian domestic companies are also increasing their workforce. Vucic noted the extraordinary dedication of those involved, saying some company owners have begun sleeping in containers at the construction site to ensure the project stays on schedule.
“Both you Serbian and you Chinese workers here at EXPO are equally good, equally competent,” Vucic told workers during the visit. “You are working together on a historic project, and I believe we will be able to finish everything on time.”
The president acknowledged that the National Pavilion remains the most challenging component, describing it as “a real jewel of the whole EXPO as envisioned” but noting it is progressing more slowly than other elements of the complex.
Steel Friendship on Display
Chinese Ambassador Li Ming, who accompanied Vucic throughout the inspection, highlighted the remarkable transformation of the site. “Two years ago when we first visited this site, there was nothing here, and now look at what there is,” Li Ming said. “The EXPO exhibition will be a great opportunity for Serbia and the Chinese government hopes that it will be successfully held and successfully completed.”
Vucic reinforced the strength of bilateral ties, stating that “Serbia-China friendship and bilateral cooperation will remain stable and continue for the long term. The Serbia-China friendship is unbreakable.” The relationship, often described as a “steel friendship,” has deepened significantly through China’s Belt and Road Initiative, with Serbia serving as a key European partner in the infrastructure program.
EXPO 2027: A National Showcase
The 2027 Belgrade Specialized Expo, scheduled to run from May 15 to August 15, 2027, will be the first Specialized Expo ever held in the Western Balkans. Under the theme “Play for Humanity - Sport and Music for All,” the event is expected to attract participation from over 140 countries, with more than 100 world leaders anticipated to visit, according to Republika.
The EXPO complex represents a 1.2 billion euro investment, with an additional 1.7 billion euros allocated for surrounding infrastructure including residential units, railway connections, and other facilities. The wider master plan also includes a National Stadium with a capacity of 52,000 spectators, an aquatic center, and a 400-room hotel.
Vucic described the event as Serbia’s biggest promotional opportunity since 1961, positioning it as a catalyst for economic development. “Whatever anyone says, Serbia is the fastest-growing economy in the first six months in Europe,” he said. “Next year it will be convincingly the fastest-growing economy in Europe with a growth rate of over four percent.”
Infrastructure Acceleration
Beyond the exhibition center itself, Vucic confirmed that the railway connecting EXPO to the airport and the airport to Belgrade’s city center will be completed by the end of the year, along with the New Belgrade railway station. The president also noted that two tunnel-boring machines arriving from China will enable rapid progress on the Belgrade metro system.
According to Wikipedia, the estimated cost of EXPO 2027 and its directly supporting infrastructure is approximately €1.29 billion, with the exposition expected to welcome more than 6 million visitors and host more than 8,000 events over its 93-day program.
What to Watch For
The coming months will be critical for the EXPO project. Vucic has set a firm deadline of December 1, 2026, for the handover of the complex, with certain landscaping and outdoor work that cannot be performed during winter months adding urgency to the timeline. A robot factory is also scheduled to open in late August, further demonstrating the technological ambitions tied to the project.
As Tanjug reported in January 2024, Vucic framed EXPO 2027 as “our objective that must boost and develop the country,” calling for “in-depth, substantial changes in all spheres of life.” With construction now entering its final stretch, the project stands as both a test of Serbia’s capacity for large-scale delivery and a symbol of the expanding China-Serbia partnership that will be on display to the world in 2027.