China’s Updated Playbook in the Western Balkans
What are the implications of China’s presence in the Western Balkans when it comes to EU enlargement ? The conversation delves into China’s strategic investments, the varying degrees of engagement with different countries in the region, and the backlash against certain projects. Vladimir Shopov (ECFR) discusses with host Emma Belmonte the evolving nature of China’s approach, the EU’s response to Chinese influence, and the implications for EU accession processes.
This episode is part of the project “Central and Eastern Europe and the Future of the European China Debate” by AMO (CHOICE), ECFR and OSW, generously supported by Stiftung Mercator.
Read Vladimir Shopov’s policy brief here: Eyes wide shut: How to read China’s playbook in the Western Balkans
To read more on this, here are some of CHOICE’s articles on the topic:
China’s Aid in the Western Balkans: Supporting Development, Undermining Good Governance
The Environmental Impact of Chinese Projects in the Western Balkans
Written by
Emma Belmonte
Emma Belmonte is China Projects Analyst at AMO, specializing in Beijing’s influence on European political discourse, Chinese security and law enforcement activities in Europe, and Taiwan-Europe cooperation. Emma has been working as a reporter specialized on Chinese speaking regions. She has conducted on the ground reporting in both Taiwan and China and written multiple feature articles for publications including GEO magazine, Figaro Magazine, Asialyst, the Green European Journal. She holds a Master’s degree in Modern Chinese Studies from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon.
