Research Information System
Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus)
This article argues that neo-mercantilist policies and strategies serve as a tool for understanding China’s overseas practices, and the rule of law is a significant element affecting the engagement and influence of neo-mercantilist powers in recipient countries. Through the case of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, the article sheds light on the nuances and strategies of Chinese overseas projects, particularly those related to the Belt and Road Initiative. Using quantitative research techniques, the article identifies 110 construction projects undertaken by Chinese companies in 17 CEE countries for the period 2010–2023, and it addresses the basic strategies underlying these projects from a neo-mercantilist perspective. Furthermore, the article creates a project index score for each CEE country and measures the relationship between the total number and values of Chinese construction projects and their commitment to the rule of law through pairwise correlation and t-test analysis.