"China-Backed Bridge Project In Belgrade Draws Scrutiny Over Hidden Contracts", 9 December 2025

Construction has begun to replace Serbia's iconic Sava Bridge, but the government's refusal to fully disclose its agreements with the Chinese companies involved is fueling opposition to the project and raising transparency questions over how the contracts were awarded.

China State Construction Engineering (CSEC), one of the two Chinese state-owned firms participating in the undertaking, announced that the installation [...] began on December 5.

PowerChina, [...] is the main contractor. [...].

[...] absence of any public bidding for the contracts, which could have implications for the project's overall cost and quality, has raised transparency questions.

The Serbian government has since sidestepped the public procurement process on the new Sava Bridge by citing an intergovernmental agreement between China and Serbia signed in 2009 that allows for direct public contracting and increased cooperation in building infrastructure.

CSEC and PowerChina did not reply to RFE/RL's requests for comment about the procurement procedure or their involvement with the project.

PowerChina is also a key contractor for building the massive complex in Belgrade for the 2027 World Expo as well as constructing exhibition halls, a national soccer stadium, and related infrastructure like metro lines, a new highway, and a ring road around the Serbian capital.

Those contracts have also been able to bypass Serbia's law on public procurement [...].