Chinese expansion: a European view

Occupation: Junior researcher, Institute of World Economy and International Relations
Affiliation: Institute of World Economy and International Relations
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Alexander I. Salitsky

Occupation: Chief Researcher, Institute of World Economy and International Relations
Affiliation: Institute of World Economy and International Relations
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Nelli Semenova

Occupation: Senior Researcher, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Affiliation: Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Russian Federation, Moscow

Journal name

Vostok. Afro-Aziatskie obshchestva: istoriia i sovremennost

Edition

Issue 6

Pages

199-210

Abstract

The article studies China’s economic presence in European countries and analyses a wide range of expert opinions, sometimes diametrically opposed, about this presence. The Chinese concept of “The Belt and Road“, appealing for transit countries that experience an infrastructural famine, is seen as an instrument of penetration of Chinese counterparts into various economic spheres of European states. At the heart of the Chinese initiatives, there are various economic and geopolitical motivations of Beijing. Despite the fact that Chinese projects were not rejected in terms of scope, complex character, and solid ideological preparation oriented at economic growth, Chinese expansion meets many obstacles in its way. The Silk Belt project faces a number of difficulties and challenges: regulatory restrictions, technological barriers and lack of mutual trust make it difficult to implement “The Belt and Road” in Europe. Simultaneously, European countries have a fairly wide range of opinions about the Belt and Road Initiative. The energetic power of the young superpower begins to resist the protectionism of the recent leaders and proponents of globalization. European observers express negative perceptions of the existing parameters of bilateral foreign trade; the negative balance of the EU is seen as an indicator of the unprofitability of the Chinese direction and the continued decline in the competitiveness of the EU. Beijing’s desire to conduct business on a bilateral basis, as if ignoring the integration into the EU and supranational structures is negatively perceived in Europe. Some aspects of Beijing's investment policy in Europe are often criticized. However, an assessment of the real extent of China’s expansion is hampered by discrepancies in statistical data from various sources. In fact, the countries of Northern Europe are concerned about their own access to the Chinese market. Eastern Europe is interested in Chinese investment. Some countries in Southern Europe have already received significant investments from China and, contrary to the experts’ opinions, welcome Chinese expansion.

Keywords

China, Europe, economic expansion, scholars, observers

Received

27.12.2018

Publication date

27.12.2018

Cite Download pdf To download PDF you should sign in

GOST	Gemueva K., Salitsky A., Semenova N. Chinese expansion: a European view // Vostok. Afro-Aziatskie obshchestva: istoriia i sovremennost – 2018. – Issue 6 C. 199-210 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://vostokoriens.jes.su/S086919080002878-2-1 (circulation date: 26.04.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S086919080002878-2
MLA	Gemueva, Karina, Salitsky, Alexander I, Semenova, Nelli "Chinese expansion: a European view." Vostok. Afro-Aziatskie obshchestva: istoriia i sovremennost 6 (2018):199-210. DOI: 10.31857/S086919080002878-2
APA	Gemueva K., Salitsky A., Semenova N. (2018). Chinese expansion: a European view. Vostok. Afro-Aziatskie obshchestva: istoriia i sovremennost (6), pp.199-210 DOI: 10.31857/S086919080002878-2

Размещенный ниже текст является ознакомительной версией и может не соответствовать печатной

Readers community rating: votes 0

1. Belgrade-Budapest railway construction starts. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-11/29/c_136787298.htm.

2. Capital for Investment in Central and Eastern Europe, 2018. http://cee-equity.com/investments/.

3. Chase M., Pollpeter K., Mulvenon J. Shanghaied? The Economic and Political Implications of the Flow of Information Technology and Investment Across the Taiwan Strait. CA: RAND Corporation, 2004. https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR133.html.

4. Chen Shilei. Yearender: China-Europe cooperation remains stable amid European uncertainties, 2017. http://www.xinhuanet.com /english/2017-12/28/c_136857161.htm.

5. European Chamber of Commerce in China. China Manufacturing 2025: Putting Industrial Policy Ahead of Market Forces. 7 March 2017. http://www.europeanchamber.com.cn/en/chinamanufacturing-2025.

6. Foreign Investment Screening and the China Factor, 2016. https://rasmussenglobal.com/media/foreign-investment-screening-china-factor-memo.

7. Fürst, Rudolf. The Czech Republic: Receiving the First Relevant Chinese Investments. Chinese Investment in Europe. A Country-Level Approach ETNC Report. December 2017. https://www.ifri.org/en/publications/publications-ifri/ouvrages-ifri/chinese-investment-europe-country-level-approach.

8. Godement, François; Vasselier, Abigaël. China at the Gates: a New Power Audit of EU-China Relations. L.: The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), December 2017. http://www.ecfr.eu/ publications/summary/china_eu_power_audit7242 (accessed: 25.02.2018).

9. Hanemann, Thilo, Huotari, Mikko. Record flows and growing imbalances. Chinese Investment in Europe in 2016. https://www.merics.org/sites/default/files/2017 – 09/MPOC_3_COFDI_2017.pdf.

10. Hungary and China: Hopes and reality. [Mapping Europe-China Relations A Bottom-Up Approach]. 2014. http://www.academia.edu/25224315/Hungary_and_China_Hopes_and_reality_In_Mapping_ Europe-China_Relations_A_Bottom-Up_Approach.

11. Hungary’s foreign minister: Europe must seize One Belt, One Road opportunities, 2017. https://dailynewshungary.com/hungarys-foreign-minister-europe-must-seize-one-belt-one-road-opportunities.

12. International Academic Forum on China and CEECs’ Cooperation, 2017 China-CEEC Think Tanks' Network. http://16plus1-thinktank.com/en/index.jhtml.

13. Jahrens bericht des sicherheits informations dienstes. Der Sicherheitsinformationsdienst Nachrichtendienst der Tschechischen Republik. 2016. https://www.bis.cz/vyrocni-zpravaDE16e1.html?ArticleID=1136.

14. Liu Zuokui. Europe and the «Belt and Road» Initiative: Responses and Risks. http://www.geopolitika.hu/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Liu-ZuokuiEurope-and-Belt-and-Road-Initiative.pdf.

15. Mann J. The China Fantasy: Why Capitalism Will Not Bring Democracy to China. N.Y.: Penguin Books 2008.

16. National Bureau Statistics of China, 2017. http://www.stats. gov.cn/english/.

17. Qiu Quanlin. Polish apple traders eye slice of the action in lucrative market. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2017-06/30/content _ 29942131.htm

18. ReneSola Wins Bid to Build 42 MW Solar Projects in Poland, 2017. https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/267477/renesola-wins-bid-to-build-42-mw-solar-projects-in-poland.

19. Tender for Budapest-Belgrade rail upgrade published, 2017. https://bbj.hu/economy/tender-forbudapest-belgrade-rail-upgrade-published_142131.

20. Tian Dongdong. Li's CEE trip boosts common development rather than poses threat to EU integrity. Xinhua, 28 November 2013. http://www.china-ceec.org/eng/ldrhw_1/2013bjlst/ hdxw1/t1410524.htm.

21. Statistical Bulletin of China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment 2016. ISBN: 9787503779695, Ministry of Commerce of People’s Republic of China. 2016.

22. Sterling, Toby. U.S. blocks Philips' $3.3 billion sale of Lumileds to Asian buyers. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philips-lumileds-sale/u-s-blocks-philips-3-3-billion-sale-of-lumileds-to-asian-buyersidUSKCN0V02D4.

23. Travel Service: purchase of majority stake in CSA Czech Airlines shows fast growing group's ambition, 2017. https://centrefor aviation.com/insights/analysis/travel-service-purchase-of-majority-stake-incsa-czech-airlines-shows-fast-growing-groups-ambition-377803.

24. Yang Yi. Spotlight: China-CEEC ties make remarkable progress, enhance China-EU cooperation, 2017. http://www.xinhuanet.com /english/2017-11/25/c_136778549.htm.

25. Yao Lan. Safe, hospitable CEE countries attract more Chinese tourists, 2017. http://www.ecns.cn/2017/09-02/271847_2.shtml.

26. Voros, Zoltan. Who Benefits From the Chinese-Built Hungary-Serbia Railway? https://thediplomat.com/2018/01/who-benefits-from-the-chinese-built-hungary-serbia-railway/.

27. 2017 annual report on Chinese apple imports and exports: http://www.freshplaza.com/article/188824/2017-annual-report-on-Chineseapple-imports-and-exports.

28. 35m EUR invested works on Мozura in final stage, 2017. http://www.total-montenegronews.com/business/720-35m-invested-works-on-mozura-in-final-stage.