The European Union has labeled China as a cooperation partner, an economic competitor, and a systemic rival but is struggling to implement policies that account for the complexities of this relationship.
Carnegie scholar Allison Carragher tells BIRN that the Peljesac Bridge in Croatia – financed by the EU but built by Chinese – is a prime example of how Brussels finances Beijing’s ambitions in the Balkans.
The European Union has labeled China as a cooperation partner, an economic competitor, and a systemic rival but is struggling to implement policies that account for the complexities of this relationship.
Financed by the EU, the construction of the Pelješac Bridge in Croatia has been a resounding success for Chinese soft power. Policymakers in Brussels should implement changes to the union’s procurement policy to avoid supporting the ambitions of its economic competitor and systemic rival.