BELGRADE, Serbia - When China’s first shipment of coronavirus medical aid landed in Belgrade, the president of Serbia was there to kiss the Chinese flag. In Hungary, officials have played down assistance from the European Union and praised Beijing’s help. China for years has been increasing its political and economic influence in southeastern Europe through its Belt and Road global investment projects. Opposition groups have demanded the Chinese aid be disclosed and stacked up against the EU’s apparently much larger assistance, but those calls have been ignored. Serbia and Hungary have been important gateways to Europe for China through its infrastructure and investment projects.

Source: thestar April 14, 2020 12:04 UTC