The case of Chinese and Balkan Innovation Cooperation

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CHRISTOS ELEFTHERIADIS
THEMIS TZIMAS
GRIGORIOS ZAROTIADIS

Abstract

The study starts with an overview of China’s involvement in developing open cross-national innovation ecosystems in the Balkans, emphasising the differences between EU member- states in the Balkan peninsula and EU member-states elsewhere. We then analyse current international economic and political conditions that influence the prospects for bilateral innovation collaboration schemes between China and Balkan countries; this highlights the opportunities and obstacles of an increased cooperation in specific regions and industries, challenges stemming from the cross-national nature of such collaboration and other considerations. In the final section, we present the paper’s conclusions and policy recommendations for sustainable models of cooperation.

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