China‘s soft power and the Balkans
Abstract
The People‘s Republic of China, along with the United States and the Russian Federation, has become a great power in international affairs as a result of its significant economic expansion in recent decades, as well as the strengthening of its military force and pronounced political influence. What distinguishes China in the global order is its developing soft power, which profiles it as a desirable partner for cooperation. In other words, China is economically and politically “present” in every corner of the world, and in the last decade, more than ever before in the Balkans. China‘s relations with the Balkan countries are improving and becoming more substantial, and they are most developed with Serbia. The paper will explore the elements of China‘s “soft power” and how it is used in cooperation with the Balkan countries, as well as the reasons that set Serbia apart in cooperation with China in relation to other Balkan countries. An attempt will be made to answer the questions about the benefits of the Balkan countries‘ cooperation with China, why the US and the EU have a negative attitude towards China‘s cooperation with the Balkan countries, and whether such a relationship is motivated solely by economic reasons or other geopolitical interests.
References
Arežina, S. (2018). Kina u Evropi. Beograd: Službeni glasnik. [In Serbian]
Arežina, S. (2021). PR China as a “Responsible Great Power”: The Chinese model of foreign investment and assistance, Napredak, 2(2): 95–110. DOI: 10.5937/napredak2-32397
Božić Miljković, I. M. (2021). Geoeconomic aspects of the cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the People‘s Republic of China: Situation and perspectives. Sociološki pregled 55 (2), 314–355. DOI: 10.5937/socpreg55-31925
Fortune. (2020). „Global 500 2020”. Fortune Magazine. Dostupno na: https://fortune.com/global500/2020/search/. Pristupljeno 09.12.2021.
Jinping, X. (2017). „Secure a Decisive Victory in Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects and Strive for the Great Success of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era”. Speech delivered at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Beijing.
Jinping, X. (2017). Jointly Shoulder Responsibility of Our Times, Promote Global Growth. Keynote Speech by the President of the People’s Republic of China At the Opening Session Of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2017. Davos, 17 January. Available at http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-01/18/c_135991184.htm
Jinping, X. (2021). Speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China. Beograd: Ambasada Narodne Republike Kine u Srbiji.
Kešmer, M. (2021). Dodik disputes BiH's signature on the UN statement on China's attitude towards the Uighurs. Radio Slobodna Evropa. Dostupno na: https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/bih-kina-ujguri-dodik-turkovic-un/31370112.html. [In Serbian]
Nye, J. S. Jr. (2004). The Paradox of American Power. Beograd: BMG. [In Serbian]
Nye, J. S. Jr. (2004). Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics. New York: Public Affairs
Nye, J. S. Jr. (2012). The future of power. Beogad: Arhipelag. [In Serbian]
Neimarević, V. (2013). The soft power of China. In D. R. Simić, D. Živojinović, N. Kosović (eds) The soft power of states (236–251). Beograd: Udruženje za studije SAD u Srbiji, Centar za društvena istraživanja. [In Serbian]
Obradović, Ž. (2016). Strategic Partnership Between “Small” Serbia And “Big” China, Srpska politička misao, 53(3), 121–137. https://doi.org/10.22182/spm.5332016.7. [In Serbian]
Obradović, Ž. (2018). Belt and Road“ in the Balkans and Serbia (the challenges of cooperation). In V. Cvetković (ed). New Silk Road – European Perspective (Security challenges/risks within the 16 + 1 Innitiative) (157–176). Beograd: Fakultet bezbednosti. [In Serbian]
Obradović, Ž. (2020a). Geopolitical interests of great powers in the Balkans during the last decade and the Kosovo question. In Z. Jeftić, N. Stekić (eds.). The Challenges of the contemporary world: strategic action of states or the result of global and local causes and processes? (176–199). Beograd: Fakultet bezbednosti, Institut za međunarodnu politiku i privredu i Institut za strategijska istraživanja. [In Serbian]
Obradović, Ž. (2020b). COVID-19 Pandemic: Consequences in the International Community. In Z. Jeftić i M. Kopanja (eds.). Infectious Diseases as a global security challenge – Covid-19 Pandemic: reality and consequences (9–41). Beograd: Fakultet bezbednosti i Institut za međunarodnu politiku i privredu. [In Serbian]
Ping H., Zuokui L., et al. (2017). The Cooperation between China and Central & Eastern European Countries (16+1) 2012–2017. Beijing: China-CEEC Think Tanks Network.
Radio Slobodna Evorpa. (2021a). The United States and Great Britain oppose the SinoRussian proposal to abolish the High Representative in BiH. Radio Slobodna Evropa. Available at: https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/sad-i-britanija-protiv-kineskoruskog-prijedloga-o-ohr/31360280.html. [In Serbian]
Radio Slobodna Evropa. (2021b). Embassy of China in BiH: Appointment of the High Representative is not legitimate. Radio Slobodna Evropa. Available at: https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/schmidt-kina-ohr-bih/31414439.html. [In Serbian]
Simić, D. R. i Živojinović, D. (2013). The power of soft power. In D. R. Simić, D. Živojinović, N. Kosović (eds.). The soft power of states (12–17). Beograd: Udruženje za studije SAD u Srbiji, Centar za društvena istraživanja. [In Serbian]
Yiwei, W. (2018). China connects the world. Beograd: Centar za međunarodnu saradnju i održivi razvoj – CIRSD. [In Serbian]
Yongliang, L. (2021). Bri cooperation system: General framework and development path, Napredak, 2(2): 49-56. DOI: 10.5937/napredak2-32686
Zhang, W. (2007). Tapping soft pover: Managing China‘s Peaceful Rise and the Implications for the World. In: S. Guo and S. Hua (eds). New Dimensions of Chinese Foreign Policy (109–131). New York: Rowman & Littlefierd