What China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” means for the Western Balkans

China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”, launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013, is a Eurasian grand strategy that seeks to expand and secure maritime routes and land infrastructure networks from China connecting Asia, Africa and Europe.

Also known as ‘One Belt, One Road’, it presents a range of opportunities as well as challenges for the countries involved. The blueprint includes a mosaic of trade deals, energy cooperation and financing agreements taking China westwards. The aim is to establish China’s political economy on a global scale.