The Relation Between China, North Macedonia and Serbia in the Changing Geopolitical Context

Mileski, Toni and Arnaudov, Mitko and Nedić, Pavle and Klimoska, Katerina (2023) The Relation Between China, North Macedonia and Serbia in the Changing Geopolitical Context. Project Report. China-CEE Institute Nonprofit Ltd., Budapest.

Text The-Relation-Between-China-N-Macedonia-and-Serbia.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (7MB)

Abstract

The research report in front of you is a thorough analysis that answers many questions about current international relations. It does so not only from the perspective of interstate cooperation as a classic model in international relations but also from the perspective of the relations between citizens and the state and how citizens perceive this multi-sector cooperation of states in international relations. This approach is at the core of critical geopolitics, which is at the centre of the research as a response to the current changing geopolitical context and security environment. Taking into consideration the fact that modern humanity is directed towards democratic models of governance, while at the same time respecting all the historical peculiarities of the subjects of international law and thus the different "nuances" in the understanding of democracy, in this work, based on the research conducted in the social framework of North Macedonia and Serbia, we have shown and proved how modern tendencies of interstate cooperation are not directly and always dependent on geographical criteria but directed towards a new understanding of reality in a globalised world, in which the quality of interstate cooperation, apart from economic, is also measured by numerous other parameters that greatly contribute to the realisation of the national interests of each individual country. The current state of international relations, the changes in the existing geopolitical context, and the increasing challenges, such as hybrid threats, health crisis, energy crisis and financial and investment crisis faced by modern humanity, most of which do not recognise the national borders of states, represented the main determinants in this research. On the basis of the relationship between the People's Republic of China and North Macedonia, on the one hand, and Serbia, on the other, we have demonstrated that interstate cooperation in contemporary international relations is based not only on the willingness to provide mutual support in emergency situations and understanding of the challenges faced by each individual subject of international law, but also on multiple loyalties in uncertain circumstances. The cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and North Macedonia and China and Serbia, especially in the context of the continual geopolitical transition of power from the West to the East, and its development in various forms in diverse areas, including the fields of finance and investments, energy, health, and security and defence is a great case in point. Through our analysis of these relations, we have shown that interstate cooperation in modern international relations is not just about being ready to help each other in emergencies and knowing what problems each actor in the international system faces. It's also based on having multiple loyalties in situations that are hard to predict, which is becoming more and more common in the modern world. We used a lot of different methods to come up with results that aren't that unusual from the public's point of view, but they do mark a new stage in the science of international relations. This is because the intensity of interstate relations doesn't always lead to the realisation of national interests. Instead, it leads to friendship and honest cooperation at the international level, which, according to the theory of international relations, is more important. In fact, with this research on the People's Republic of China's relations with North Macedonia and Serbia in contemporary international relations as a case study, we opened a new space for academic discussion on the relations between big and small states in contemporary international relations and challenged the idea that relations between big and small states are always founded on an asymmetrical basis. More specifically, our main idea was to put forward the thesis that it is realistic for these relations to be established on an equal footing, despite the great economic, political, and military differences that exist when we look at them through the lens of power. In the contemporary geopolitical and security environment, the study's findings provide a new framework for academic discourse and the study of international relations. On the other hand, this research study gives opportunities for decision-makers and creators of foreign policy strategies of both large and small states to define new directions and guidelines in the development of interstate affairs. These changes can be the foundation for a new phase of international relations that could contribute to achieving the national interests and foreign policy objectives of great powers while respecting the national interests and foreign policy objectives of smaller states.

Actions (login required)

View Item