Digital Crossroads: China’s Influence in the Western Balkans

China is expanding its global influence in the Western Balkans through the Digital Silk Road (DSR), a key element of the Belt and Road Initiative it introduced in 2015. The DSR aims to enhance digital infrastructure, internet connectivity, and trade, benefiting Chinese tech companies such as Huawei. While the DSR offers technological and economic benefits to participating countries, it also poses serious geopolitical, national security, and foreign-influence risks including concerns about surveillance and data privacy. In response, the United States launched the Clean Network Initiative in 2020 to secure digital infrastructure against providersthat are not trusted, and the EU announced the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans in 2018 to improve digital connectivity and innovation. However, these efforts have had limited impact and the region remains significantly influenced by the DSR.​

How can the Western Balkans balance the benefits of China’s technological investments with the risks to security and sovereignty? What role should the EU and the United States play in supporting secure digital development in the region? Are countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia jeopardizing their long-term aspiration to join the EU by aligning with China in technology? What strategies can these countries adopt to ensure a resilient and trusted digital future?

This panel brings together experts to discuss how Western Balkan countries can navigate this critical juncture while safeguarding their future.

For more information, please contact Zsuzsanna Végh ([email protected]).

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a nonpartisan policy organization committed to the idea that the United States and Europe are stronger together.