Film Screening: Tinderbox, Belt and Road—China in the Balkans

Over the past decade, Chinese investment has poured into the Balkans, offering the countries access to desperately needed development financing. But at what cost? Chinese infrastructure funding has triggered concerns about labor standards, democracy, debt, and pollution. From the copper mines in eastern Serbia to Montenegro’s billion-dollar highway to nowhere, this Bertelsmann Foundation film goes to the frontlines of China’s economic advancements in Europe. 

Join filmmaker Samuel George (Bertelsmann Foundation) for a viewing of the film and a discussion with Belt and Road policy, research and environmental advocacy experts. Jingjing Zhang (Transnational Environmental Accountability Project, UMD) has led extensive litigation work in Africa and Latin America to ensure Chinese infrastructure companies comply with environmental laws and international human rights norms. Margaret Myers (Inter-American Dialogue & Wilson Center) brings deep expertise in a broad range of BRI investments in Latin America to the table. During his tenure as a member of the Belt and Road Initiative Green Coalition, Christoph Nedopil (Green Finance & Development Center, Fudan University) has worked with China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment and academics on strategies to green China’s BRI.

This is an in-person only event. The post-film discussion will be recorded and posted online at a later date when the film becomes available.