The Dragon at the Gates of Europe

Since the launch of the "16+1" format in 2012 and the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, Chinese presence in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has grown and expanded. This region is in fact crucial to reach Western European markets, with the Balkans and Central-Eastern Europe serving as maritime and land gateways respectively. Nevertheless, in the past few years, and most notably in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, China's strategic aims in the region suffered a setback: Brussels-Beijing relations deteriorated, Baltic States opted out of the new "17+1" format and the Belt and Road Initiative lost its momentum in the region, with many projects halting or being delayed.In Blue Europe's "The Dragon at the Gates of Europe: Chinese Presence in the Western Balkans and Central-Eastern Europe," you will discover the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative and the delicate interplay within the Central and Eastern European region, unravelling the multifaceted tapestry of Sino-CEE relations, where international interests, economics, and culture converge.The book is edited by Andrea Bogoni and Brian F. G. Fabrègue, with the contribution of: Chris Vermorken, Mark Temnycky, Marceli Hazla, Richard Straka, Sonja Stojadinovic, Elizabeth Yoneva, Slobodan Trivi, Antonella Benedetto, Zdenk Rod, Roman tpä, Samuel Dempsey, Réka Koleszár, Tomá Kolomaznik, Aliaksei Patonia, Sergiu Mitrescu, Ivo Ganchev, George Loria, Mariam Gamdlishvili, Jakub Stepaniuk, Ágnes Bacsarszki and Aleksandar Chernev.