SECRET CHARM. China’s hidden influence in Southeast Europe

The policy paper highlights a case study, which provides useful lessons learned as to Beijing´s broader geopolitical and geo-economic objectives as well as the ambition to increase its economic leverage and political clout. The paper features case studies on China’s influence in eight countries in Southeast Europe, conducted by local experts. The authors assess China’s investments, its image and the appeal of its governance model in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia. The publication is a result of the cooperation of Sofia Security Forum and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.