Chinese investments in Serbia and the New Silk Road

Dimitrijević, Duško and Jokanović, Nikola (2016) Chinese investments in Serbia and the New Silk Road. In: Thematical Proceeding from the International Scientific Conference: Danube in the Function of the New Silk Road, Belgrade, June 17, 2016. Institute for International Politics and Economics, Belgrade, pp. 325-350. ISBN 978-86-7067-234-5

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Abstract

The China’s development strategy of the “New Silk Road”, involving two political initiatives “New Silk Road, Economic Belt” and the ”21st Century Maritime Silk Road”, provides for a long-term improvement of relations especially with the countries of Asia, Europe and Africa. This strategy is an ideological concept of the Chinese foreign policy that aims to uphold the world peace and to promote a common and harmonious development of the whole world. Unlike the geopolitical strategies of great powers, which are mainly based on the division of spheres of interest or expansion of spheres of influence, the Chinese “New Silk Road” strategy is focused on common interests and cooperation in order to achieve mutual benefits. With an “open door” policy applied for more than three decades, China is trying to strengthen its position in international politics and to contribute to active participation in the globalization process. In order to achieve these goals, formulated through the model of “Chinese Dream,” China is enduring a constant social change, repeatedly carrying out economic reforms and building a new vision of international relations based on the promotion of political, economic and cultural cooperation as well as social progress involving different civilizations. Hence, despite the significant geopolitical changes after the Second World War, a strong political influence in international processes, and expressed opportunism in international relations, China has been a binding factor in solving major international problems using as a model the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, which is in the line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. As the world’s second largest economy with nearly one-fifth of the world’s population, China committed itself to good relations with other countries. China is especially keen on good relations with developing countries such as Serbia; China maintains a deep and traditional friendship with Serbia and supports its legitimate rights and economic interests. In order to properly understand the Sino-Serbian relations, this study will first give some introductory explanations regarding the position of Serbia in international relations, especially towards Chinaand in the 16+1 mechanism (a political platform for cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries, CEEC). The study will also include the analyses of existing Serbia’s economic hardship and possible effects of bilateral cooperation, especially showing the current advantages of Serbia for the Chinese direct investments.

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