Beijing's road to Southeastern EuropeChinese infrastructural investments in the Balkans and the case study of the highway project in Montenegro

Abstract

The dissertation analyses Chinese infrastructural projects in the broader Balkan region. It focuses on the political and economic aspects of infrastructure and sheds light on some controversial aspects of the projects. The research uses the highway project in Montenegro as a case study to understand the political and economic consequences of China’s loans-forinfrastructure arrangements. Furthermore, the research examines the most important Chinese regional initiatives like 16+1 and Belt and Road. It investigates whether China is competing with Western economic and political dogmas and if she promotes its developmental models to the region. In its case study, the research analyses the relations between a small state and a superpower, between a developing country in the political transition in Europe and a remote superpower that, through infrastructural projects, found ways to become an important player in the region. Finally, the research investigates the relation of (de)democratization processes in the area to increasing engagement with China. The dissertation will contribute to the literature on Sino/Balkan/CEE relations while being placed within the realm of international political economy.