China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F48546054%3A_____%2F25%3AN0000034" target="_blank" >RIV/48546054:_____/25:N0000034 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.gmfus.org/news/chinas-quiet-strategy-bulgaria-economic-appeal-political-constraints" target="_blank" >https://www.gmfus.org/news/chinas-quiet-strategy-bulgaria-economic-appeal-political-constraints</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints

Original language description

Asya Metodieva and Dimitar Keranov analyze Bulgarian relations with China and the associated risks and opportunities, with Bulgaria offering China a gateway to expand its presence and pursue strategic interests in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). China’s engagement with the country is so far limited, though, compared to that with Hungary and Serbia. Sofia views China’s economic footprint as key but security and soft-power dimensions are increasingly relevant. Public opinion has become more favorable toward China, not seeing it as a threat. It mixes admiration for Beijing’s economic achievements and skepticism about it as an alternative to an EU orientation. As an EU and NATO member, Bulgaria must balance economic opportunities with China against risks to national security, Western alliances, the rule of law, and democracy. Yet, its awareness of China’s influence remains underdeveloped. To safeguard its national interest and minimize its vulnerabilities to Chinese influence, Bulgaria must develop a more transparent, structured, and EU-aligned policy toward China that mitigates economic or security risks; implement a robust investment-screening mechanism to prevent risky Chinese investments in critical sectors; keep prioritizing EU funding mechanisms and partnerships with democratic allies; enhance energy diversification through increased collaboration with the United States in nuclear energy, liquefied natural gas, and renewable energy; favor partnerships with EU and US technology providers; encourage EU and US companies complying with EU legislation and regulations to invest in its strategic sectors; facilitate more public discussions on the implications of Chinese investments, and support the media to investigate and to raise awareness about them as well as to boost transparency around them; and invest in media-literacy programs and independent research to enhance public understanding of China’s actions.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

X - Unclassified

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

50601 - Political science

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů