China expands educational diplomacy footprint in the Balkans as Western Europe closes Confucius Institutes

China shifts focus to the Balkans for its educational diplomacy as Confucius Institutes face closures in Western Europe amid geopolitical tensions.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 3:41 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Diplomat

Divergent trends in European educational diplomacy

A notable shift is occurring in the landscape of Chinese soft power across the European continent. While various Western European nations have moved to shutter Confucius Institutes due to concerns over academic freedom and foreign influence, the Balkan Peninsula is emerging as a stronghold for these cultural centers. This trend suggests a bifurcated European response to Chinese educational initiatives, with Southeastern Europe offering a more welcoming political climate that contrasts sharply with the growing skepticism found in Brussels and other Western capitals.

The central role of the Serbian partnership

Serbia serves as the primary anchor for China's expanding influence in the region, characterized by a high degree of symbolic and practical cooperation. The relationship is reinforced by historical events, such as the annual commemorations of the 1999 NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, which both nations use to emphasize a shared future and mutual opposition to certain Western policies. President Aleksandar Vucic has maintained a consistent policy of alignment with Chinese President Xi Jinping, facilitating an environment where Chinese educational and cultural programs can operate with state support.

Regional implications and the Kosovo dispute

The educational and diplomatic presence of China in the Balkans carries significant weight regarding regional territorial disputes, particularly concerning Kosovo. While Pristina remains firmly aligned with the interests of the United States and the European Union, Belgrade has utilized its partnerships with China and Russia to contest Kosovo's goal of achieving full international recognition. The expansion of Chinese "classrooms" and institutes provides a cultural layer to this geopolitical strategy, strengthening the narrative of a multipolar world order within the Western Balkans.