Fact-check: War on the Rocks is a reputable source for expert strategic analysis, and the article is confirmed via web search as recently published. Recent X posts discuss China's BRI railway in Hungary-Serbia, investments in Hungary, and influence in the Balkans, consistent with the claims of economic expansion in Hungary, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece. No evidence contradicts the analysis, which aligns with ongoing US-China strategic competition.
How China Is Building Influence Along Europe’s Southeastern Edge
An expert analysis examines China's growing influence along Europe's southeastern corridor, spanning Hungary, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece. As NATO faces internal pressures and the EU grapples with its future, Beijing is leveraging economic and political tools to expand its footprint in the region. The piece draws on five expert assessments to evaluate China's strategic goals in this increasingly consequential theater.