Impact of China’s Foreign Policy Strategy on Development and the European Integration Process in the Western Balkans: the Case of Serbia

Abstract

China’s increased involvement in the Western Balkans is the result of geoeconomic and political logic of its foreign policy. Beijing’s primary goal is to use the region as a gateway and commercial platform for Western Europe, where China’s real interests lie in its rush for markets, technology, and knowledge. China seeks to establish itself in countries outside the EU but with potential to become the part of it (the Western Balkans), thereby becoming part of the EU system. This undermines the EU’s trust in the Western Balkans, which are beginning to be viewed as a «Trojan horse». Serbia is expected to face a political choice in the future: either fully support EU integration or continue close cooperation with China. This could become a turning point for the further development of relations with China, as well as for further European integration and Serbia’s potential EU membership. Currently, Serbia is not obligated to pursue a coordinated policy with Brussels, and the degree of its alignment with EU foreign policy declarations is still low.