Global Economic Observer (Jun 2019)
The Chinese presence on the periphery of Europe. The "17 + 1 Format"1 , The Trojan horse of China?
Abstract
In this contribution, we analyze the presence of China in the countries of eastern and south-eastern Europe, some of which are EU members, others in the accession phase or in the process of becoming candidates, gathered in the 17 + 1 Format. This presence takes different forms: trade and direct investment (still low in volume, especially in comparison with the rest of Europe), the provision of services - construction of railway lines, ports, highways - thanks to bank loans granted by Chinese financial institutions. One wonders about the rationalities of the strategies implemented: search for outlets, especially for Chinese firms in overcapacity, attempt to create regional value chains, junction of the maritime and land routes of the new silk roads, finally, search of influence on the periphery of the European Union.
