China‘s Sway Declines in Most of the Balkans, But Rises in Bosnia, New index Shows
SARAJEVO – China’s influence is waning across much of the Balkans, according to a new report released today, with Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Montenegro, and North Macedonia all experiencing a drop in their ranking on the China Index. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina stands out as the sole exception, rising in the index due to increasing Chinese investment and political alignment within its Serb-run entity, Republika Srpska.
The China Index,compiled by Doublethink Lab and the CITW global network,ranks 101 countries based on their exposure to Chinese influence across nine key domains – academia,Domestic Politics,Economy,Foreign Policy,Law Enforcement,Media,Military,Society,and Technology. The 2024 edition reveals that Singapore, Cambodia, and Pakistan are the most exposed globally. In the Balkans, Bulgaria fell to 45th place (from 36th in 2022), Romania to 72nd (from 53rd), Greece to 77th (from 69th), and Montenegro to 100th (from 77th). North Macedonia and Albania share the bottom ranking at 101st.
Bosnia’s rise to 54th place in 2024, up from 70th in 2022, is directly attributed to China’s growing economic and political ties with Republika Srpska. “The significant investment from the People’s Republic of China, notably in infrastructure projects in Republika Srpska, showcases the growing economic ties between China and Bosnia and herzegovina. The focus on Republika Srpska highlights an evolving regional dynamic closer aligned with Chinese interests in Serbia,” the report states.
The index also highlights a strategic partnership between the ruling Bosnian Serb party, the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), and the Communist Party of China.”Such partnerships indicate a broader geopolitical alignment and cooperation between certain political entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (again,mainly in RS) and China,perhaps influencing policy decisions and regional dynamics,” the report notes.
This is the frist cross-regional project to objectively measure the overseas influence of the People’s Republic of China through comparable data, offering a comprehensive assessment of China’s global reach.
