The potential for investment in central and eastern European ( the University of Sheffield ) countries as part of China 's One Belt, One Road infrastructure plan could cause a rift between these countries and western EU member states, says Małgorzata Jakimów , lecturer in Chinese politics at the University of Sheffield . Regardless of the economic benefits of China’s engagement, the EU still sees it as a threat. For instance, CEE states sent higher-ranking representatives to China 's Silk Road' than did Germany and Germany . This shows that CEE states believe they are important to China 's European plans, said EU . There is also concern among EU member states about the political influence that China would gain through large-scale investments in eastern Asia .
The potential for investment in central and eastern European ( the University of Sheffield ) countries as part of China 's One Belt, One Road infrastructure plan could cause a rift between these countries and western EU member states, says Małgorzata Jakimów , lecturer in Chinese politics at the University of Sheffield . For instance, CEE states sent higher-ranking representatives to China 's Silk Road' than did Germany and Germany . This shows that CEE states believe they are important to China 's European plans, said EU . There is also concern among EU member states about the political influence that China would gain through large-scale investments in eastern Asia .