China’s New Silk Road and Central and Eastern Europe—A Systematic Literature Review

1. Fallon, T. The new silk road: Xi Jinping’s grand strategy for Eurasia. Am. Foreign Policy Interests 2015, 37, 140–147.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10803920.2015.1056682.
2. Wang, H. Textiles as money on the silk road? J. R. Asiat. Soc. 2013, 23, 165–174. https://doi.org/10.1017/S135618631300014X.
3. Li, B. The Termination of the Silk Road: A Study of the History of the Silk Road from a New Perspective. Asian Rev. World Hist.
2020, 8, 7–23. https://doi.org/10.1163/22879811‐12340061.
4. Li, P.; Qian, H.; Howard, K.W.; Wu, J. Building a new and sustainable “Silk Road economic belt”. Environ. Earth Sci. 2015, 74,
7267–7270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665‐015‐4739‐2.
5. Wan, C.; Yang, Z.; Zhang, D.; Yan, X.; Fan, S. Resilience in transportation systems: A systematic review and future directions.
Transp. Rev. 2018, 38, pp. 479–498. https://doi.org/10.1080/01441647.2017.1383532.
6. Keser, H.Y. Importance of Transport Corridors in Regional Development: The Case of TRACECA. Sosyoekonomi 2015, 23, 163–
182. https://doi.org/10.17233/se.96735.
7. Li, Y.; Schmerer, H‐J. Trade and the New Silk Road: Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions. J. Chin. Econ. Bus. Stud. 2017, 15,
205–213. https://doi.org/10.1080/14765284.2017.1347473.
8. Nolan, P. State, Market and Infrastructure: The New Silk Road. Croat. Int. Relat. Rev. 2017, 23, 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1515/cirr‐
2017‐0004.
9. Yu, H. Motivation behind China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiatives and Establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment
Bank. J. Contemp. China 2017, 26, 353–368. https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2016.1245894.
10. Casarini, N. When All Roads Lead to Beijing. Assessing China’s New Silk Road and its Implications for Europe. Int. Spect. 2016,
51, 95–108. https://doi.org/10.1080/03932729.2016.1224491.
11. Wagener, N.; Aritua, B.; Zhu, T. The New Silk Road: Opportunities for global supply chains and challenges for further
development. Log Forum 2020, 16, 193–207. https://doi.org/10.17270/J.LOG.2020.403.
12. Fasslabend, W. The Silk Road: A political marketing concept for world dominance. Eur. View 2015, 14, 293–302.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12290‐015‐0381‐3.
13. Huang, Y.; Understanding China’s Belt & Road Initiative: Motivation, framework and assessment. China Econ. Rev. 2016, 40,
314–321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2016.07.007.
14. Alon, I.; Chen, S.; Mandolfo, M. Supply chain–marketing integration: How do European SMEs go to China via the New Silk
Road. Bus. Process Manag. J. 2019, 25, 368–378. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ‐04‐2018‐0106.
15. Toma, S.‐G.; Săseanu, A.S.; Teodor, C. A Chinese Business: The Belt and Road Initiative. Proceedings of 5th BASIQ International
Conference on New Trends in Sustainable Business and Consumption, Bari, Italy, 30 May ‐ 01 June 2019. 657–664.
16. Thürer, M.; Tomašević, I.; Stevenson, M.; Blome, C.; Melnyk, S.; Chan, H.K.; Huang, G.Q. A systematic review of China’s belt
and road initiative: Implications for global supply chain management. Int. J. Prod. Res. 2020, 58, 2436–2453.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2019.1605225.
17. Thees, H. Towards local sustainability of mega infrastructure: Reviewing research on the New Silk Road. Sustainability 2020, 12,
10612. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410612.
18. Khin, A.A.; Chiun, F.Y.; Seong, L.C. Identifying the Factors of the Successful Implementation of Belt and Road Initiative on
Small–Medium Enterprises in Malaysia. China Rep. 2019, 55, 345–363. https://doi.org/10.1177/0009445519875231.
19. Zhang, X. Analysis on the Obstacles for China to Become a Financial Superpower. In Proceedings of the International Confer‐
ence on Energy Big Data and Low‐carbon Development Management, Nanjin, China, 18‐20 December 2020,
https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202021402008.
20. Kauf, S.; Laskowska‐Rutkowska, S. The location of an international logistics center in Poland as a part of the One Belt One Road
initiative. LogForum 2019, 15, 71–83. https://doi.org/10.17270/J.LOG.2019.311.
21. Mulrow, C.D. The Medical Review Article: State of the Science. Ann. Intern. Med. 1987, 106, 485–488.
https://doi.org/10.7326/0003‐4819‐106‐3‐485.
22. Tranfield, D.; Denyer, D.; Smart, P. Towards a methodology for developing evidence‐informed management knowledge by
means of systematic review. Br. J. Manag. 2003, 14, 207–222. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467‐8551.00375.
23. Snyder, H. Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. J. Bus. Res. 2019, 104, 333–339.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039.
24. Paul, J.; Criado, A.R. The art of writing literature review: What do we know and what do we need to know? Int. Bus. Rev. 2020,
29, 101717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2020.101717.
25. Paul, J.; Merchant, A.; Dwivedi, Y.K.; Rose, G. Writing an impactful review article: What do we know and what do we need to
know?. J. Bus. Res. 2021, 133, 337–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.05.005.
26. Covidence. Better Systematic Review Management. Available online: https://www.covidence.org/.(accessed on 30 January
2022).
27. Page, M.J.; McKenzie, J.E.; Bossuyt, P.M.; Boutron, I.; Hoffmann, T.C.; Mulrow, C.D.; Shamseer, L.; Tetzlaff, J.M.; Akl, E.A.;
Brennan, S.E.; et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021, 372, n71.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71.
28. Liberati, A.; Altman, D.G.; Tetzlaff, J.; Mulrow, C.; Gøtzsche, P.C.; Ioannidis, J.P.; Clarke, M.; Devereaux, P.J.; Kleijnen,J.; Moher,
D. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions:
Explanation and elaboration. J. Clin. Epidemiol. 2009, 62, 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2009.06.006.
29. Page, M.J.; McKenzie, J.E.; Bossuyt, P.M.; Boutron, I.; Hoffmann, T.C.; Mulrow, C.D.; Shamseer, L.; Tetzlaff, J.M.; Moher, D.
Updating guidance for reporting systematic reviews: Development of the PRISMA 2020 statement. J. Clin. Epidemiol. 2021, 134,
103–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.02.003.
30. Bungenberg, M.; Hazarika, A. The European Union’s Trade and Investment Policy in Asia: New Challenges and Opportunities
in a Changing Global Environment‐Or: Following Individual Roadmaps. Asia Eur. J. 2017, 15, 377–397.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308‐017‐0485‐2.
31. Erdősi, F. Trans‐Eurasian transport links in great and medium‐size spaces of power. Tér És Társadalom 2015, 29, 106–126.
https://doi.org/10.17649/TET.29.2.2677.
32. Van der Putten, F.‐P.; Meijnders, M. China, Europe and the Maritime Silk Road; Clingendael Institute: Den Haag, The Netherlands,
2015.
33. Zuokui, L. The role of Central and Eastern Europe in the building of silk road economic belt. Medjunarodni Probl. 2015, 67, 184–
195.
34. Li, Y.; Bolton, K.; Westphal, T. The effect of the New Silk Road railways on aggregate trade volumes between China and Europe.
J. Chin. Econ. Bus. Stud. 2018, 16, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/14765284.2018.1453720.
35. Sarvari, B.; Szeidovitz, A. The Political Economics of the New Silk Road. Balt. J. Eur. Stud. 2016, 6, 3–27.
https://doi.org/10.1515/bjes‐2016‐0001.
36. Bulis, A.; Skapars, R. Development of “New Silk Road” Northern branch through seaport of Riga in Latvia. Procedia‐Soc. Behav.
Sci. 2014, 150, 1222–1229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.138.
37. Fardella, E. Prodi, G. The Belt and Road Initiative Impact on Europe: An Italian Perspective. China World Econ. 2017, 25, 125–
138. https://doi.org/10.1111/cwe.12217.
38. Xinhunet. Hanxinou’Shipped More Than 3,300 Export TEUs After Running for One Year. 2014. Available online:
https://www.xinhuanet.com//fortune/2015‐04/23/c_1115067478.htm (accessed on 4 August 2021).
39. He, L. “Sumanou” Railway Line Breaks the Guinness World Record of Highest Container Freight. 2012. https://js.peo‐
ple.com.cn/html/2012/11/23/188301.html. (accessed on 7 August 2021).
40. Zhang, Q. Hunan‐Europe Freight Transport Rail to Open Soon. 2014. http://en.changsha.gov.cn/news/Lo‐
cal/201410/t20141016_646367 (accessed on 9 August 2021).
41. Egorova, K. China Launches the World’s Longest Freight Train Route. 2015, RBTH. Available online: rbth.com/busi‐
ness/2015/06/16/china_launches_the_worlds_longest_freight_train_route_46921.html (accessed on 14 August 2021).
42. Lee, E.; Oduor, P.G.; Farahmand, K.; Tolliver, D. A coupled linear programming model with geospatial dynamic trip assignment
for global‐scale intermodal transportation. Marit. Econ. Logist. 2014, 16, 33–54. https://doi.org/10.1057/mel.2013.22.
43. Notteboom, T.E. Towards a new intermediate hub region in container shipping? Relay and interlining via the Cape route vs.
the Suez route. J. Transp. Geogr. 2012, 22, 164–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2012.01.003.
44. Wang, X.; Meng, Q. The impact of landbridge on the market shares of Asian ports. Transp. Res. Part E Logist. Transp. Rev. 2011,
47, 190–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2010.09.006.
45. Kopytov, E.; Abramov, D. Multiple‐criteria analysis and choice of transportation alternatives in multimodal freight transport
system. Transp. Telecommun. 2012, 13, 148–158. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10244‐012‐0012‐x.
46. Tavasszy, L.; Minderhoud, M.; Perrin, J.‐F.; Notteboom, T. A strategic network choice model for global container flows: Speci‐
fication, estimation and application. J. Transp. Geogr. 2011, 19, 1163–1172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2011.05.005.
47. Verny, J.; Grigentin, C. Container shipping on the northern sea route. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 2009, 122, 107–117.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2009.03.018.
48. Zhang, M.; Wu, Z.; Jin, Y. Maritime Routing Problem with Soft Time Windows in the One Belt, One Road Initiative. J. Coast.
Res. 2019, 98, 350–355. https://doi.org/10.2112/si98‐082.1.
49. Podberezkin, A.; Podberezkina, O. The Silk Road Renaissance and New Potential of the Russian‐Chinese Partnership. China Q.
Int. Strateg. Stud. 2015, 1, 305–323. https://doi.org/10.1142/s2377740015500153.
50. Song, W. Logic of the Chinese developmental state and China’s geo‐economic engagement with Central and Eastern Europe.
Asia Eur. J. 2019, 17, 387–401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308‐019‐00562‐2.
51. Huang, J. Silk Road Economic Belt: Can Old BITs Fulfil China’s New Initiative? J. World Trade 2016, 50, 733–754.
52. Lee, J.Y.; Hyun, K.; Jin, J. China’s New Silk Road: Policies and Implications. J. Int. Logist. Trade 2015, 13, 55–70.
53. Nazarko, J.; Kuźmicz, K.A. Introduction to the STEEPVL Analysis of the New Silk Road Initiative. Procedia Eng. 2017, 182, 497–
503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.03.143.
54. Chaisse, J.; Matsushita, M. China’s ‘belt and road’ initiative: Mapping the world trade normative and strategic implications. J.
World Trade 2018, 52, 163–185.
55. Fung, K.C.; Aminian, N.; Fu, X.; Kornhohen, I. Internationalization of the use of Chinese currency: Perspectives from the New
and the Ancient Silk Roads. J. Chin. Econ. Bus. Stud. 2018, 16, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/14765284.2017.1408255.
56. Tian, W.; Yu, M.; Zhang, F. The exceptional performance of Chinese outward direct investment firms. China Econ. J. 2016, 9,
209–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/17538963.2016.1172783.
57. Nazarko, J.; Kuźmicz, K.A.; Czerewacz‐Filipowicz, K. The New Silk Road–Analysis of the potential of new Eurasian transport
corridors. In Preceedings of 9 th International Scientific Conference “Business and Management 2016”, Vilnius, Lithuania, 12–
13 May 2016. https://doi.org/10.3846/bm.2016.58.
58. Pardo, R.P. Europe’s financial security and Chinese economic statecraft: The case of the Belt and Road Initiative. Asia Eur. J.
2018, 16, 237–250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308‐018‐0511‐z.
59. Shah, A.R. How Does China–Pakistan Economic Corridor Show the Limitations of China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ Model. Asia
Pac. Policy Stud. 2018, 5, 378–385. https://doi.org/10.1002/app5.224.
60. Shambaugh, D. China’s soft‐power push: The search for respect. Foreign Aff. 2015, 94, 99–107.
61. Timofeev, I.; Lissovolik, Y.; Filippova, L. Russia’s Vision of the Belt and Road Initiative: From the Rivalry of the Great Powers
to Forging a New Cooperation Model in Eurasia. China World Econ. 2017, 25, 62–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/cwe.12214.
62. Chin, H.; Lau, F.; He, W.; Cheung, T. The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Fung Business Intelli‐
gence Centre: New York, NY, USA, 2015.
63. European Commission. Investment plan for Europe goes global: China announces its contribution to #investEU. Press Release
2015.
64. Rolland, N. China’s New Silk Road. Natl. Bur. Asian Res. 2015, 12, 1‐4..
65. Meunier, S. A Faustian bargain or just a good bargain? Chinese foreign direct investment and politics in Europe. Asia Eur. J.
2014. 12, 143–158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308‐014‐0382‐x.
66. Feng, T.T.; Kang, Q.; Pan, B.B.; Yang, Y.S. Synergies of sustainable development goals between China and countries along the
Belt and Road initiative. Curr. Opin. Environ. Sustain. 2019, 39, 167–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2019.10.008.
67. Gallo, A.; Accorsi, R.; Baruffaldi, G.; Manzini, R. Designing sustainable cold chains for long‐range food distribution: Energy‐
effective corridors on the Silk Road Belt. Sustainability 2017, 9, 2044. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9112044.
68. Szczudlik, J. Coming out of the shadows: The Polish perspective on China‐Central and Eastern Europe relations. Int. Issues
Slovak Foreign Policy Aff. 2015, 24, 49–53.
69. Vangeli, A. Diffusion of ideas in the era of the Belt and Road: Insights from China‐CEE think tank cooperation. Asia Eur. J. 2019.
17, 421–436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308‐019‐00564‐0.
70. Bartosiewicz, A.; Szterlik, P. Łódź’s benefits from the One Belt One Road initiative. Int. J. Logist. Res. Appl. 2019, 22, 47–63.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2018.1526261.
71. Kowalski, B. China’s foreign policy towards Central and Eastern Europe: The “16+ 1” format in the South–South cooperation
perspective. Cases of the Czech Republic and Hungary. Camb. J. Eurasian Stud. 2017, 1, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.22261/7R65ZH.
72. Vangeli, A.; Pavlićević, D. Introduction: New perspectives on China–Central and Eastern Europe relations. Asia Eur. J. 2019, 17,
361–368. 10.1007/s10308‐019‐00560‐4.
73. Brînză, A. The “17+ 1” Mechanism: Caught Between China and the United States. China Q. Int. Strateg. Stud. 2019, 5, 213–231.
https://doi.org/10.1142/S237774001950009X.
74. Góralczyk, B. China’s interests in Central and Eastern Europe: Enter the dragon. Eur. View 2017, 16, 153–162.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12290‐017‐0427‐9.
75. Kavalski, E. China in Central and Eastern Europe: The unintended effects of identity narratives. Asia Eur. J. 2019, 17, 403–419.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308‐019‐00563‐1.
76. Matura, T. The belt and road initiative depicted in Hungary and Slovakia. J. Contemp. East Asia Stud. 2018, 7, 174–189.
https://doi.org/10.1080/24761028.2018.1537091.
77. Oehler‐Şincai, I.M. Central And Eastern Europe: Correlations Between The Eu Dependence‐Attitude Matrix And Cooperation
Intensity With China. Rev. De Econ. Mond. J. Glob. Econ. 2017, 9, 1–19.
78. Pendrakowska, P. Poland’s perspective on the Belt and Road Initiative. J. Contemp. East Asia Stud. 2018, 7, 190–206.
https://doi.org/10.1080/24761028.2018.1552491.
79. Jakubowski, A.; Komornicki, T.; Kowalczyk, K.; Miszczuk, A. Poland as a hub of the Silk Road Economic Belt: Is the narrative
of opportunity supported by developments on the ground? Asia Eur. J. 2020, 18, 367–396.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308‐020‐00571‐6.
80. Nazarko, J.; Czerewacz‐Filipowicz, K.; Kuzmicz, K.A. Comparative analysis of the Eastern European countries as participants
of the new silk road. J. Bus. Econ. Manag. 2017, 18, 1212–1227. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2017.1404488.
81. Fang, X. The Belt and Road initiative: Connecting China and Central Europe. Int. Issues Slovak Foreign Policy Aff. 2015, 24, 3–14.
82. Li, J. The 16 + 1 Mechanism and One Belt One Road Initiative, New Channels of Promoting Sino‐Czech Relations. Glob. Econ.
Obs. 2017, 5, 159–166.
83. Fürst, R.; Pleschová, G. Czech and Slovak relations with China: Contenders for China’s favour. Eur. Asia Stud. 2010, 62, 1363–
1381. https://doi.org/10.1080/09668136.2010.504387.
84. Farkas, Z.A.; Pap, N.; Reményi, P. Hungary’s place on Eurasian rail land bridges and the eastern opening. Hung. Geogr. Bull.
2016, 65, 3–14. https://doi.org/10.15201/hungeobull.65.1.1.
85. Vangeli, A. China’s New Silk Road and its impact on Sino‐European relations. EU‐China Obs. 2015, 1, 20–26.
86. Soukas, J. EU Probe Threatens Landmark China‐Hungary Rail Project. GBTIMES, 2017. Available online:
https://findchina.info/eu‐probe‐threatens‐landmark‐china‐hungary‐rail‐project (accessed on 3 September 2021).
87. Dimitrijevic, D. Chinese Investments in Serbia‐A Joint Pledge for the Future of the New Silk Road. Balt. J. Eur. Stud. 2017, 7, 64–
83. https://doi.org/10.1515/bjes‐2017‐0005.
88. Erdősi, F. Global and regional roles of the Russian transport infrastructures. Discuss. Pap. 2008, 69, 5–51.
89. Beck, A.; Bente, H.; Schilling, M. Railway efficiency: An overview and a look at opportunities for improvement. In Proceedings
of the International Transport Forum Discussion Paper. Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD),
International Transport Forum, Leipzig, Germany, 22 to 24 May 2013; No.2013‐12. https://doi.org/10.1787/5k46bj46ptkb‐en.
90. Bentyn, Z. Poland as a Regional Logistic Hub Serving the Development of Northern Corridor of the New Silk Route. J. Manag.
Mark. Logist. 2016, 3, 135–144. https://doi.org/10.17261/Pressacademia.2016219941.
91. Lubina, M. From Geopolitical Chance to Security Threat. Pol. Political Sci. Yearb. 2017, 46, 221–238.
https://doi.org/10.15804/ppsy2017114.
92. Ondriaš, J. Issues facing China’s soft power in the 16+ 1 Platform. Econ. Ann. Ххі 2018, 172, 22–27.
https://doi.org/10.21003/ea.V172‐04.
93. Grzywacz, A. Closer to a threat than an opportunity: Polish perception of China’s rise and international engagement. Asia Eur.
J. 2020, 18, 177–194.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10308‐019‐00541‐7.