How China hit a roadblock on its way to central and eastern Europe
- The 16+1 initiative was supposed to boost trade and investment between the participants but so far it seems largely one-way, observers say
- Growing tensions between EU and China also casting a shadow over April summit in Croatia
When the leaders of China and 16 countries in central and eastern Europe gather in Dubrovnik in southern Croatia early next month, Beijing will be looking to one project as a symbol of what they can achieve.
The European Union-funded Peljesac Bridge is being built by a Chinese state-owned firm and is expected to be completed in 2022, joining a southern enclave in the Adriatic with the Croatian mainland.
For Croatia, the bridge will establish territorial continuity for the country and hopefully boost its growing tourism industry.
For China, it symbolises the positive role Chinese companies can play in building high-quality infrastructure in the EU.
The bridge exemplifies the “win-win” strategy that China has promoted under the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (China-CEEC) umbrella launched seven years ago to advance trade between the participants.
“Croatia is an EU member, and that Chinese company was awarded the contract means the professional level of the Chinese companies could be recognised by EU countries and the construction level is meeting the EU’s standards and its procurement rules,” Tsinghua University international relations professor Shi Zhiqin said.