Vučić Confirms Chinese Missile Purchase, Silence on Iran Stance Raises Questions

Dark clouds loom over Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. (Feng Li/Getty Images)

[People News] The Iranian Air Force and Navy have suffered significant losses due to the strong strikes from the US-Israel coalition. The remaining Iranian Revolutionary Guards have launched missiles at neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE, with the intention of provoking a new war in the Middle East.

Following the coordination of positions among Gulf countries and the assertion of their right to take military action if necessary, Saudi Arabia has begun expelling Iranian diplomats. Furthermore, the UAE Ministry of Defence announced on March 21 that since Iran's attacks on the UAE, it has intercepted a total of 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,748 drones. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of 2 military personnel, 6 civilians, and 160 injuries. The UAE Ministry of Defence stressed that it is fully prepared to respond to any threats and will firmly counter any attempts to undermine national security, fully safeguarding the nation's sovereignty, security, and stability.

Notably, a report from the Russian news agency on March 23 indicated that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić unexpectedly flew to the UAE on March 22 to meet with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two had previously communicated by phone on February 28, following the US-Israel coalition's elimination of high-ranking Iranian officials.

According to reports from the UAE News Agency, the meeting between Al Nahyan and Vučić lasted several hours and focused on the ongoing terrorist attacks by Iran that target the UAE and other countries in the region. These attacks include assaults on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and critical facilities, which are seen as violations of national sovereignty and international law. Vučić condemned these attacks and reaffirmed Serbia's full support for the UAE.

Both parties stressed the urgent need to immediately cease escalating military actions and highlighted the importance of resolving outstanding regional issues through dialogue and diplomacy.

In a subsequent post on his social media account, Vučić stated: 'In this difficult and unsettling situation, I express my strongest condemnation of the attacks on the UAE. At a time when the Middle East faces severe challenges, the repercussions of conflict and instability extend far beyond regional borders. It is crucial to show support to friends and to act responsibly in the pursuit of peace and stability.'

Compared to other Middle Eastern countries, Serbia maintains a closer relationship with the UAE, particularly in economic and trade matters, forming a comprehensive economic partnership. The bilateral non-oil trade volume for 2024 is projected to be around $12.14 billion, which is double that of 2021. The UAE is also Serbia's primary trading partner within the Gulf Cooperation Council, accounting for approximately 55% of Serbia's total trade with the region in 2023.

Vučić's visit to the UAE comes at a time when the Iranian regime is nearing collapse under pressure from the US, during which he publicly condemned Iran. Prior to this, Serbian officials had engaged in phone conversations with countries such as Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Kuwait, clearly opposing Iranian attacks.

Why is Vucic now openly condemning Iran instead of confining his criticism to diplomatic statements? He must be aware that one of Iran's supporters is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and the relationship between China and Serbia is no longer a secret. Each time Vucic visits Beijing, he receives a warm welcome from high-ranking CCP officials, including Xi Jinping, and the CCP has been making substantial investments in Serbia, providing significant support to the nation.

In May 2024, Xi Jinping's trip to three European countries will include Serbia. During his visit, Xi announced plans to 'deepen and elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Serbia,' introducing six initial measures and signing 30 bilateral cooperation agreements in fields such as digital economy, e-commerce, infrastructure, economic technology, information and communication, agriculture and food, and media.

Earlier this March, a Serbian website displayed images of Serbian fighter jets equipped with Chinese supersonic missiles. On March 12, Vucic confirmed this information during a live broadcast on Serbian Radio and Television, stating that it is part of a defence upgrade plan valued at approximately $17 billion (21.8 billion Singapore dollars).

Vucic explained that these Chinese-made CM400 missiles, which have a range of up to 400 kilometres, have been installed on Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets, currently the backbone of the Serbian Air Force. He added, 'We already possess a significant number of these missiles, and we will continue to procure more. They are very expensive, but also highly effective.'

The author speculates that the defence control systems and missiles developed by the CCP in support of Iran have become ineffective against the formidable military power of the United States. This realisation may have prompted Vučić to understand that relying on the CCP is not as dependable as he thought. Consequently, prioritising his own interests, he chose to align with the right side before a potential regime change in Iran. At the very least, after the brutal regime in Iran is overthrown, he could benefit from the ensuing situation.

It is also possible that Vučić's visit to the UAE, a country that previously maintained good relations with the CCP, was primarily aimed at persuading the UAE not to support Trump in his efforts against Iran. This intention is reflected in the emphasis from both parties on the 'urgent need to immediately halt escalating military actions and to prioritise resolving outstanding regional issues through dialogue and diplomacy.' Could there not be a CCP influence behind this?

Interestingly, while mainland media reported on Vučić's possession of CCP missiles, they overlooked his condemnation of Iran during his visit to the UAE. This oversight stems from the fact that since late February, when the US-led coalition eliminated high-ranking Iranian officials and continued to target Iranian military bases and ammunition depots, the CCP, which has historically supported Iran, has refrained from condemning the US as strongly as it once did. Instead, it has resorted to fabricating fake news, engaging in a public opinion campaign to create the illusion that Iran is a victim, the US is reprehensible, and that the Iranian people are resolutely resisting American influence.

However, many Chinese people are unaware that the vast majority of Iranians express deep gratitude towards the United States and Israel for removing the executioners responsible for the slaughter of countless Iranians, and for instilling hope for a better future. They are eagerly looking forward to the arrival of a day of freedom. The Chinese Communist Party's suppression of such information aims to prevent the Chinese from following the example of the Iranians and to keep them from understanding Iran's struggles on the global stage, thereby guarding against a potential 'colour revolution.' History has shown that no regime that deceives and oppresses its citizens ends well.

(First published in People News) △