“16+1” challenge or opportunity of EU

“16+1” forum was proposed by China for the implementation of “Belt and Road” initiative. Since the establishment of 16+1, the trade between China and CEE countries increased significantly. It aroused warm response of CEE countries which actively supported the cooperation with China. However, the cooperation between China and CEE countries aroused doubts of EU, which considered that “16+1” is a challenge of unity of EU. Based on the theory of neoliberalism, and use the method of case studies, the thesis is to analyze China’s motivation towards cooperation with CEE countries and find out “16+1” is an opportunity rather than a challenge of EU.