China in the Balkans


7. January 2022.
Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the focus of one of the most important Chinese companies’ desire to expand into the Western Balkans. Through the telecommunications company Huawei, China is extending its influence around the world, which is why it has been sanctioned by some countries. In the Western Balkans, the company wants to be the first to establish 4G and 5G networks and so-called ‘smart’ and ‘secure’ cities, but this is also raising concerns about its lack of transparency and privacy protection for users and the general public. BIRN has researched the company’s goals, the way it is expanding and the consequences of this. We have found out that Huawei paid for trips abroad for ministers.