In the modern and vibrant carriage of a high-speed train, Maya, a 34-year-old resident of Novi Sad, Serbia, relishes a cup of hot tea while engrossed in a bookThe scenery outside flickers by in a blur, all while she enjoys the comfort of her journeyJust two years ago, the thought of boarding a "magical train" that travels at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour right at her doorstep was something she could hardly imagine.

The Serbian-Hungarian railway, constructed primarily by Chinese firms, stands as the first high-speed rail line in the BalkansOn March 19, 2022, the segment connecting Belgrade to Novi Sad, spanning approximately 80 kilometers, officially opened to the publicThis monumental advancement not only revolutionized the way people travel in the region but also marked a significant step towards modernity for Serbia's infrastructure.

The impacts of this new rail line on everyday life in Novi Sad have been profoundWith commuter times slashed to just 36 minutes, an increasing number of employees are opting to work in Belgrade during the day and return home to Novi Sad at nightFurthermore, the affordable and convenient train travel has led to a noticeable rise in domestic and foreign tourists eager to explore the rich historical and cultural offerings of Novi SadStatistics show that since its opening, an average of 62 trains have been in operation daily, with the highest number of travelers reaching 15,059 in one dayOver 6.83 million passengers have utilized the service within just two years, marking an increase of 960,000 travelers compared to the previous year, a 33% growth overall.

This high-speed rail service, celebrated as the first of its kind in Southeast Europe, has become a proud emblem of modernized infrastructure in SerbiaIts successful establishment and operation have enabled Serbia to join the ranks of countries with high-speed rail systems, fulfilling a long-held dream among its citizensSerbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić emphasized that the railway is one of the government's most remarkable achievements

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President Aleksandar Vučić has also articulated that this railway symbolizes Serbia's future and a robust modern railway network, indicating that further developments along the Novi Sad to Subotica route are crucially tied to northern regional growth, tourism, and investment.

Since the railway commenced operations, the contractors have garnered various certifications from EU authorities, including safety subsystems for railway communications, infrastructure, and energy, marking a substantial success in the integration of Chinese rail technology with European standardsThe reliability and efficiency demonstrated by the railway over the past two years have dispelled concerns among Serbian stakeholders and EU member states about the compatibility and safety of Chinese technologyThis has led to an increasing preference for "Chinese solutions," as noted by staff involved in the railway project.

During the construction of the Novi Sad to Subotica segment, the project introduced additional Chinese materials and systems, including rails, switches, steel trusses, and protective barriersA significant development came during the third Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum in October 2023, where CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. signed a business contract with Serbia's Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure for five high-speed train sets for the railwayThis historic agreement marks the first successful entry of a Chinese standard high-speed train into the European market, serving as a new model of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Serbian enterprises have developed a growing admiration for Chinese high-speed rail technology, largely due to their exposure to the efficiency of Chinese construction teams and the high-quality equipment employedOver the past two decades, the stagnation of railway development in Serbia has created significant gaps in talent and expertiseRecognizing this issue, the Chinese project team has placed a strong emphasis on technical exchanges and skills training to foster a solid foundation for the future of Serbian rail operations

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