17+1 COOPERATION: AN OVERALL ASSESSMENT ON CHINA-CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES RELATIONS

Abstract

Considering the steps taken by the Republic of China to lead the new world order with its 'go global' policy and the proximity of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries to the world's largest market economy, the 17+1 initiative, which aims to invigorate the Belt and Road Initiative with CEE, has enormous potential. China has increased its trade volumes and improved economic relations with CEE countries in recent years and has backed up its targets with political and societal projects. However, due to various reasons, such as China's late engagement in the region and its incomplete infrastructure project, doubts exist as to whether China will reach its long-term targets. This article aims to draw attention to the potential of China’s economic, political and societal relations with CEE in the context of the 17+1 initiative by reviewing primary and secondary sources. The study elaborates on the 17+1 initiative in a descriptive and explanatory way and concludes that growing economic relations with CEE countries will not be single indicators of China’s objectives but that China’s concrete projects and willpower will be determinants of its objectives.

Keywords

• Central and Eastern Europe
• European Union
• China
• Belt and Road Initiative
• 17+1

17+1 İŞ BİRLİĞİ: ÇİN-ORTA VE DOĞU AVRUPA ÜLKELERİ İLİŞKİLERİ ÜZERİNE GENEL BİR DEĞERLENDİRME

Abstract

Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti'nin 'go global' politikası ile yeni dünya düzenine öncülük etme yolunda attığı adımlar ve Orta ve Doğu Avrupa (CEE) ülkelerinin dünyanın en büyük piyasa ekonomisine yakınlığını göz önüne alındığında, CEE ülkeleri ile Kuşak ve Yol Girişimini canlandırmak isteyen 17+1 platformu muazzam bir potansiyele sahiptir. Çin, son yıllarda Orta ve Doğu Avrupa ülkeleri ile ekonomik ilişkilerini geliştirmiş ve ticaret hacmini artırmıştır, siyasi ve toplumsal projelerle de hedeflerini desteklemiştir. Ancak Çin'in bölgeye girişinin gecikmesi ve yarım kalan altyapı projeleri gibi nedenlerle Çin'in uzun vadeli hedeflerine ulaşıp ulaşamayacağı konusunda şüpheler bulunmaktadır. Bu makale, birincil ve ikincil kaynakları inceleyerek Çin'in Orta ve Doğu Avrupa ile ekonomik, siyasi ve toplumsal ilişkilerinin potansiyeline 17+1 bağlamında dikkat çekmeyi amaçlamaktadır. 17+1 platformunu betimleyici ve açıklayıcı bir şekilde ele alan bu çalışma, Orta ve Doğu Avrupa ülkeleri ile artan ekonomik ilişkilerin Çin'in hedeflerine yönelik tek gösterge olmayacağı, Çin'in somut projelerinin ve iradesinin hedeflerinin belirleyicisi olacağı sonucuna varıyor.

Keywords

• Merkez ve Doğu Avrupa
• Avrupa Birliği
• Çin
• Kuşak ve Yol Girişimi
• 17+1

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