Scientific paper ID 2103 : 2021/3

The Balkan region as a whole is a transport hub in which the directions of the Economic Belt and the Silk Road intersect by land extensions, namely by rail routes from the ports of Bar in Montenegro, located on the Adriatic Sea and Piraeus in Greece on the Mediterranean Sea. The Piraeus port project also s the construction of a high-speed railway north through Skopje and Belgrade to Budapest, helping to shorten delivery times for Chinese goods in CEE. The impact of Chinese investment by economic sector in the Balkan countries varies, but their structure shows a prioritization of transport infrastructure. At the same time, there is a political alternative to the One Belt One Road initiative presented by the Three Seas initiative. Data on Chinese investment in the Balkans are provided by the Institute of Economics and International Relations (IMIO). Serbia ranks first in Chinese investment in the region, followed closely by Greece. The main part of Chinese investments in the Balkans is related to the construction of infrastructure in the energy and transport sectors. In connection with the renewed EU policy towards China, including the implementation of the One Belt One Road Initiative, changes are envisaged, mainly affecting investments in infrastructure, it may turn out that valuable time has been lost to ensure such investments in infrastructure. Republic of Bulgaria.