Ana Krstinovska, Research Fellow at the South-East Europe Programme, analyses China’s economic cooperation with the Western Balkans. CHOICE (China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe) is a multinational consortium of experts providing informed analysis on the rising influence of the People’s Republic of China in Central and Eastern Europe.
The Western Balkans’ economic engagement with China presents a mixed picture. Serbia stands out with significant economic benefits due to its close alignment with Beijing, marked by high investments and increased trade volumes. However, these benefits come with strings attached, often conflicting with EU aspirations and leading to economic dependence.
Key takeaways:
- Serbia’s close political alignment with China has resulted in significant investments, increased tourism, and infrastructure funding.
- These economic benefits come with conditions that often conflict with EU membership aspirations, creating a high degree of economic dependence on China.
- While Serbia has seen a significant increase in exports to China, other Western Balkan countries struggle with low export levels and high import dependency.
4️. Chinese loans for infrastructure projects have led to financial burdens and asymmetric relationships, particularly in Serbia, deepening economic dependence.
You can read the article here.
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