The “16+1” Platform. China’s Opportunities for Central and Eastern Europe

For the first time in the history of the EU, an external power practices a geographical division of Europe that does not correspond to that defined by Brussels, within the EU. Inaugurated in Warsaw in 2012, China’s cooperation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), known as “16 + 1” Platform or the “16+1” Format, brings together sixteen countries (EU members and candidates), all of which share a communist past.

Although this co-operation is created around the different bilateral investment agreements, the first years of cooperation show that the political results overpass the economic progress. Therefore, the “16+1” is the subject of multiple studies aimed at identifying its threats and risks for Europe.

This study looks at opportunities, not dangers. Aside from the risks that it may represent, the “16+1” generates multiple opportunities for both the EU and the CEEs. With a focus on Romania, this study offers a reading of the opportunities to be explored as to the growing and unstoppable presence of China in Central and Eastern Europe…