Chinese Presence in Serbia

China has recently expanded its presence in Serbia through various investments and infrastructure projects. While this has brought economic benefits to Serbia, there are concerns about the potential cybersecurity risks that may arise from such close ties with China.

China's interest in Serbia is driven mainly by its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure development strategy to promote economic connectivity and cooperation between China and other countries. As a key transportation hub in the Balkans, Serbia has been China's important partner in this initiative. Chinese companies have invested heavily in Serbia's infrastructure, including a high-speed rail link between Belgrade and Budapest and a bridge across the Danube River.

While these investments have undoubtedly brought economic benefits to Serbia, they have also raised concerns about the potential cybersecurity risks that may arise from such close ties with China. In particular, there are concerns that China may use its influence in Serbia to gain access to sensitive information or to carry out cyberattacks.

One area of concern is Serbia's telecommunications infrastructure. Chinese telecom giant Huawei has been heavily involved in Serbia's 5G rollout, despite concerns from some Western countries that Huawei's technology could be used for espionage by the Chinese government. While Serbia has not yet decided whether to allow Huawei to participate in its 5G network, the fact that the company has a significant presence in the country's telecom sector is a cause for concern.

Another potential cybersecurity risk is the large number of Chinese companies operating in Serbia. Chinese companies have invested heavily in various sectors, including energy, mining, and manufacturing. While this has brought much-needed investment to Serbia, there are concerns that these companies may be involved in cyber espionage or other malicious activities.

There have already been some indications that China may use its presence in Serbia for espionage. In 2019, Serbian authorities arrested a Chinese national on suspicion of espionage. The man, who was working for a Chinese state-owned company involved in constructing a hydropower plant in Serbia, was accused of photographing and stealing classified information related to Serbia's energy sector.

In addition to espionage, there are concerns that China may use its presence in Serbia to carry out cyberattacks. Chinese hackers have been responsible for several high-profile cyberattacks in recent years, including the 2015 breach of the US Office of Personnel Management, which resulted in the theft of sensitive personal data belonging to millions of US government employees.

Serbia will need to take several steps to mitigate these risks to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses. One essential step will be establishing strong cybersecurity regulations and standards to govern the operations of Chinese companies in the country. This will help ensure these companies are not involved in malicious activities that could harm Serbia's national security.

Serbia will also need to strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities in terms of personnel and technology. This will involve investing in training programs for cybersecurity professionals and acquiring the latest cybersecurity technologies to protect against potential cyberattacks.

Finally, Serbia may need to consider diversifying its economic partnerships to reduce its reliance on China. While China has been a valuable partner for Serbia, too much support for any country can be risky, especially when that country is as powerful as China.

In conclusion, the looming Chinese presence in Serbia does pose a cybersecurity risk, given China's track record of cyber espionage and cyberattacks. However, with the proper measures, Serbia can mitigate these risks and continue to benefit from its economic ties with China. This will require strong cybersecurity regulations, investments in cybersecurity capabilities, and a diversification of economic partnerships. By taking these steps, Serbia can protect its national security while benefiting from the economic opportunities presented by China's Belt and Road Initiative.