PUBLICATION: Analysis

Buckles and Holes in China’s Belt and Road – A Case Study of Belarus and Serbia

The international system is undergoing profound changes and one of the main ones is the growth of China’s global influence, which is gradually turning into a source of influence comparable to the United States. This process is accompanied by the growth of China’s political and economic presence in different regions of the world. Europe is no exception, but this process varies greatly in different countries, with some countries only cautiously developing ties with China while others seek to expand them as much as possible.

This raises the question of the reasons for such differences, as well as the consequences of active development of China’s ties for political and economic development. In this regard, it seems interesting to compare the most “pro-Chinese” countries in Europe, namely Belarus, which has the closest contacts with China among countries of Eastern Europe and Serbia, and occupies a similar position in the Balkans.

The analysis shows that for both countries, China is, first of all, a political and economic alternative to the EU and the US, and in the case of Belarus, also to Russia. Such cooperation expands the space for manoeuvre, but usually does not lead to the solution of the strategic goals – advanced economic development, political resilience, sustainable cooperation with the main (crucial) partners.

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Tags: Belarus, china, China influence, foreign policy, serbia

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DATE: 25.12.2024

TOPICS: BSCP, Foreign Influence, Foreign Policy

TYPE: Analysis

DOI Number: <a href="https://doi.org/10.55042/BFPG8440" target="blank">https://doi.org/10.55042/BFPG8440

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