THE MODERN CHINESE OPENING-UP POLICY VIEWED THROUGH BRI: FROM AFRICA TO EUROPE

Blagoj Conev and Jana Ilieva
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Blagoj Conev: University of Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.
Jana Ilieva: University of Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia

UTMS Journal of Economics, 2025, vol. 16, issue 2, 163-170

Abstract: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by the People's Republic of China in 2013, represents a transformative global development strategy aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and economic cooperation. Encompassing over 60 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa, the BRI seeks to create a modern Silk Road through a network of trade routes, infrastructure projects, and investment opportunities. This initiative is characterized by its dual components: the Silk Road Economic Belt, which links China to Europe through Central Asia, and the Balkans, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which connects China to Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and Europe and especially the Balkans via sea routes. The BRI is not merely an economic endeavor but also a strategic framework for fostering diplomatic ties and cultural exchanges, thereby positioning China as a pivotal player in global affairs. The historical roots of the Belt and Road Initiative can be traced back to the ancient Silk Road, a network of trade routes that facilitated commerce and cultural exchange between the East and the West for centuries. Namely, most of the historical route was going from China through Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans as part of the Eastern Roman Empire, finishing in Venice, from where all the goods were transported to Europe.

Keywords: Belt; Road; China; Geopolitics; Balkans (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F02 F21 F35 F55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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