In a recent interview with CCTV's Leaders Talk in Belgrade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expressed his gratitude towards the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for its role in Serbia's development.

Vučić praised the impact of Chinese companies in Serbia, noting that the top three exporters in the country are Chinese-operated firms. He voiced his hope for Linglong Tire, a leading Chinese tire manufacturing enterprise, to rise as one of Serbia's leading exporters.

Established in 1975, Shandong Linglong Tyre Co Ltd is a specialized and large-scale technology-oriented tire manufacturer that is known for its leading tire products. With its headquarters in Zhaoyuan, a county-level city in Yantai, Linglong operates R&D centers in Zhaoyuan, Yantai, Jinan, Beijing, Shanghai, and North America, along with a testing office in Europe. All of these facilities are dedicated to developing cutting-edge technology.

Linglong Tire's investment in Serbia includes establishing Linglong International (Europe) Co Ltd, marking Chinese tire manufacturing's first venture into Europe and Linglong's second international plant. With an investment of $990 million, this facility aims to produce a significant number of tires across various categories.

This venture stands as one of Serbia's most substantial foreign investments and marks the largest greenfield investment by a Chinese company in Serbia. President Vučić, who participated in the project's inauguration in March 2019, thanked Linglong for its contributions to local employment and the economic landscape.

Linglong Europe is committed to social responsibility and cultural integration, earning recognition and a positive reputation within Serbia. Its commitment was notably demonstrated in March 2020, when the company donated over 2 million yuan ($277,860) in pandemic prevention supplies to the Serbian government during the COVID-19 crisis, reinforcing the strong ties between China and Serbia.

With the support of the Serbian government, Linglong Europe has begun producing and shipping truck and passenger car tires, primarily to European and American markets. The company employs more than 1,300 local and international staff, thus bolstering local employment and supporting the development of tire industries.

A panoramic view of Linglong Europe. [Photo/WeChat account: linglongtires]