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 .
The potential for investment in central and eastern European (CEE) 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 Belt and Road Forum than did France and Germany. This shows that CEE states believe they are important to China's European plans, said Jakimów. There is also concern among EU member states about the political influence that China would gain through large-scale investments in eastern Europe.