INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AS A NEOLIBERAL PRACTICE OF CHINESE INFLUENCE IN THE WESTERN BALKANS

The article reveals China's geostrategic interests in the Western Balkans. paper highlights main directions of Beijing's political and economic cooperation with countries region, impact these processes on foreign policy orientations Balkan countries. focus is assessing international potential Chinese outbound tourism as a tool for neoliberal influence host destinations work consists three interrelated parts. first part, within paradigm, understanding factor interaction establishment "complex interdependence". For China, which generates largest tourist flow, human communications provide possibility indirect through created dependence approval "official destinations." second part study approach to It motivated by implementation large-scale project New Silk Road "Belt Initiative", designed create cross-border transport logistics network accelerate delivery goods European markets. In context this project, Balkans have become geographical "entry point" both land sea corridors new Road, connect markets Europe Asia. third publication shows that investment activity based transnational social ties under auspices state. An appropriate place among them given flows from whose communication strategies emotional commercial involvement, well positive perception China region. has been concluded intensification contacts related liberalization mobility regimes serve an important strengthening complex asymmetric interdependence China. long term, will strengthen position Europe, especially global competition United States.