ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that China's involvement in the Balkans is facing geopolitical challenges, regardless of Beijing's words and deeds. It analyses the China–Balkan economic relations. China–Balkan cooperation is supported by the mechanism of the China–China-Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) leaders' summit, which can shape, adjust and design such cooperation. China's economic businesses in the Balkan countries make them more economically dependent on China and, conversely, more independent from other powers. China's economic engagement is complementary for other powers' engagement in the Balkans. The Balkan countries obviously benefit from China's investment and credit loans. Meanwhile, China-financed infrastructural construction in the Balkans also facilitates the EU to assimilate this region into the European family, at least geographically. Obviously, both Russia and Turkey and other powers in this region can also benefit from this Beijing-supported transportation network. In return, China can benefit from other powers' economic engagement in the Balkans.
