Abstract
[Extract]
This chapter examines China’s activities in Central and Eastern European
Countries (hereinafter referred to as ‘CEECs’), with a specific reference to
the 16+1 platform, during a time of the emerging Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI). In Europe, this initiative has been looked upon with suspicion and
referred to as a ‘divide and conquer’ strategy, aiming to potentially disrupt
the workings of the European Union. The argument presented here is that
the cooperation between China and the CEECs has not been a one-sided
activity. Some countries did not hide their enthusiasm for forging closer
partnerships with China and embracing the China-led 16+1 platform, as
well as BRI. The Czech Republic is a case in point; however, it still questions
the benefits of opening up to China and what the real outcomes of promised
investments domestically and in the wider region are. In response to the
criticisms, the Chinese leadership has reassured the Europeans that China is
acting peacefully under a win-win premise for all parties involved and that
the activities within the 16+1 take in consideration the existing projects,
such as China-EU cooperation and the EU infrastructure projects.
This chapter examines China’s activities in Central and Eastern European
Countries (hereinafter referred to as ‘CEECs’), with a specific reference to
the 16+1 platform, during a time of the emerging Belt and Road Initiative
(BRI). In Europe, this initiative has been looked upon with suspicion and
referred to as a ‘divide and conquer’ strategy, aiming to potentially disrupt
the workings of the European Union. The argument presented here is that
the cooperation between China and the CEECs has not been a one-sided
activity. Some countries did not hide their enthusiasm for forging closer
partnerships with China and embracing the China-led 16+1 platform, as
well as BRI. The Czech Republic is a case in point; however, it still questions
the benefits of opening up to China and what the real outcomes of promised
investments domestically and in the wider region are. In response to the
criticisms, the Chinese leadership has reassured the Europeans that China is
acting peacefully under a win-win premise for all parties involved and that
the activities within the 16+1 take in consideration the existing projects,
such as China-EU cooperation and the EU infrastructure projects.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Securing the Belt and Road Initiative |
Subtitle of host publication | Risk Assessment, Private Security and Special Insurances Along the New Wave of Chinese Outbound Investments |
Editors | Alessandro Arduino, Xue Gong |
Place of Publication | Singapore |
Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan |
Chapter | 15 |
Pages | 275-297 |
Number of pages | 23 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 978-981-10-7116-4 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-981-10-7115-7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 |