China has at least 135 projects worth more than EUR 32 billion in the Western Balkans alone, according to an interactive platform created by BIRN.
The platform, entitled China in the Balkans, provides a clear view of China-linked projects in the region that come under the umbrella of the One Belt, One Road project.
In 2013, the Leader of the Communist Party of China, and the country’s president Xi Jinping announced his new plan to the world. He spoke of a China-led “Silk Road Economic Belt” based on the principle of the old trade route that connected east to west, centuries ago.
Promising a “win-win” situation for all those involved, and stating that China would never interfere in the internal affairs of the countries involved, interest was minimal and non-committal. But over the years, more and more countries signed up.
In the Balkans, China has invested in several infrastructure projects in the region as a part of its One Belt, One Road initiative. These include a still unfinished bridge in Montenegro that left the country with billions in debt, nearly forfeiting a chunk of its territory before European banks stepped in to bail them out.
It also includes control of the Piraeus container terminal in Greece and a road highway tainted with allegations of bribes in North Macedonia.
They were also involved with a controversial natural gas supply contract that saw Maltese taxpayers pay over the odds for gas in Malta. The agreement was being investigated by journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia when she was assassinated, and she was on the cusp of revealing millions in kickbacks payable to leading Maltese officials.
Called ‘debt trap diplomacy’, on paper, the project is a global infrastructure initiative to provide direct investment from China into more than 130 countries. Critics say it is a method to exert pressure and control throughout the world, particularly on smaller and poorer nations.
In Serbia, the government recently purchased $19.3 million in military drones. The CH-92A drones are produced by a state-owned company in China. They can carry two missiles, and strike from a distance of up to 9 kilometers. Other specs include image recording at a distance of up to 250 kilometers, flying at an altitude of 5,000 meters, and a maximum speed of 200 km/h.
Serbia has been beefing up its military capabilities in collaboration with China and Russia in recent years.
According to BIRN data, Serbia has the most projects linked to China, totalling 16 worth over EUR 2 billion. Concerns have been raised over Chinese influence in Serbian lawmaking in favour of investors. These changes can significantly impact human rights, environmental issues, and society as a whole.
In Albania, Chinese influence has been declining and there has been no investment from Beijing since 2016.
But in October, it was reported that Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi met with Albanian foreign minister Olta Xhacka.
Yi’s European visit came amid claims from Chinese businesses that the political climate has deteriorated for them in the region. A recent survey commissioned by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the EU and delivered by consultancy Roland Berger said that 62% felt this, and 59% believe disinformation and misinformation threaten their operations.
The report does not mention what kind of disinformation has impacted their businesses, stating it is merely “supply chain-related issues”.
These issues are believed to reference the persecution and incarceration of millions of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, China. A report published in 2020 alleged that the Chinese government was forcing Uyghur people to work in factories and on production lines supplying the West.
The Chinese government has denied the claims, calling them “fake news”.
