The Western Balkans between two giants: A study concerning the relationship between the EU and China with the Western Balkans in the middle

Sørensen, Daniel Primdahl

4. term

European Studies, Master

2022

2022-05-31

67

This thesis examines how to understand the EU–China relationship by looking at their investments, projects, and influence in the six Western Balkan countries that are not EU members. Rather than only asking how the EU and China affect these states, the thesis uses the region as a lens to analyze EU–China relations with the Western Balkans in between. The analysis is built around a theoretical discussion of three approaches: neorealism (states compete for power and security), neoliberalism (cooperation through international institutions), and complex interdependence (dense economic and political ties create mutual dependence). Two hypotheses structure the discussion: (1) in this setting the relationship is best seen as rivalry (drawing on John J. Mearsheimer), and (2) it also involves cooperation, institutions, and interdependence (drawing on John Ikenberry, Robert Keohane, and Joseph Nye). Both hypotheses draw on insights from all three theories. The findings show that features of all three approaches are present. How the relationship appears depends on perspective: from the EU side it aligns with several neorealist assumptions, while from the Chinese side it shows characteristics of neoliberalism and complex interdependence. The thesis thus contributes to ongoing debates by highlighting how EU and Chinese engagement in the Western Balkans combines competition and cooperation.

Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan EU-Kina-forholdet kan forstås ved at se på deres investeringer, projekter og indflydelse i de seks vestbalkanske lande, der ikke er EU-medlemmer. I stedet for primært at beskrive, hvordan EU og Kina påvirker landene, bruger specialet Vestbalkan som en linse til at analysere forholdet mellem EU og Kina med regionen imellem dem. Analysen er forankret i en teoretisk diskussion af tre tilgange: neorealisme (stater konkurrerer om magt og sikkerhed), neoliberalisme (samarbejde gennem internationale institutioner) og kompleks indbyrdes afhængighed (tætte økonomiske og politiske bånd skaber gensidig afhængighed). To hypoteser strukturerer diskussionen: 1) at forholdet i denne kontekst bedst kan ses som rivalisering (med afsæt i John J. Mearsheimer), og 2) at det også rummer samarbejde, institutioner og indbyrdes afhængighed (med afsæt i John Ikenberry, Robert Keohane og Joseph Nye). Begge hypoteser trækker på indsigter fra alle tre teorier. Analysen viser, at centrale kendetegn fra alle tre tilgange er til stede. Hvordan forholdet vurderes, afhænger af perspektivet: Set fra EU-siden følger det flere neorealistiske antagelser, mens Kinas tilgang udviser træk af neoliberalisme og kompleks indbyrdes afhængighed. Specialet bidrager dermed til den igangværende debat ved at vise, hvordan EU’s og Kinas engagement i Vestbalkan både rummer konkurrence og samarbejde.

[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]

Kina ; EU ; Vestbalkan

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