Thewesternbalkans.
The latest analysis China Index 2024, published by a civil society network, shows that Beijing’s influence has decreased in most of the Balkans in 2024, with the exception of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The China Index is the first cross-regional project by Doublethink Lab and the China In The World network to objectively measure and visualize the influence of the People’s Republic of China abroad through comparable data.
The China Index uses data from 101 countries and examines Chinese influence in nine key areas: academia, domestic politics, economics, foreign policy, law enforcement, media, military, society and technology.
Among the Balkan countries, Chinese influence is strongest in Serbia, which ranks 34th. It is followed by Turkey in 42nd place, Bulgaria in 45th place and Bosnia and Herzegovina in 54th place.
Amidst international tensions, cooperation between most Balkan countries and China has declined. Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, has climbed 16 places, thanks to China’s strengthening relations with Republika Srpska. Serbia, China’s main partner in the region, remains in its previous position.
Comment:
China is actively involved in infrastructure projects in Republika Srpska. These include the construction of the Banja Luka-Priedor highway and the Kalinovik hydroelectric power plant, which is already connected to the grid. The RS government signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), giving the company priority in future tenders.
Since 2021, China has been the largest source of foreign direct investment in Serbia. It has invested heavily in infrastructure: highways, bridges, energy facilities and railways. Among the notable projects is the Hesteel Smederevo steel plant.
In the defense sector, Belgrade has become China’s leading partner in Europe. In July 2025, China and Serbia held their first joint military exercises, Peace Guardian 2025, in China’s Hebei province. In addition, Serbia has acquired Chinese FK-3 anti-aircraft missile systems and CH-92/95 drones. Recently, HQ-9 anti-aircraft missile systems have also been delivered.
The strengthening of China’s presence in Serbia and Republika Srpska, especially in the military-technical sphere, creates a springboard for further expansion of its influence in Europe, which is of serious concern to the EU and
