Assist. prof. Stević and prof. Sajić at the global forum on the Belt and Road Initiative

Assistant professor Ljiljana Stević, PhD, and prof. Nina Sajić, PhD, from the University of Banja Luka took part in the international conference “High-Quality Development of the Belt and Road Initiative: Concepts and Actions”, held on 18 and 19 November 2025 in Beijing, organised by the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The event, which gathered more than 80 experts from 25 countries across the world, explored key political, economic and cultural aspects of the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, one of the most ambitious global endeavours of the modern era.

Assistant professor Ljiljana Stević, PhD, presented the paper “The Development of Chinese Studies and Sinology in the Balkans: The Role of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Contribution of the ‘Confucius’ Institute to Cultural Diplomacy”, highlighting the importance of institutional cooperation and the growing influence of Chinese studies in the countries of the region.

Prof. Nina Sajić, PhD, presented the research “From Brussels to Beijing: Value Narratives and Connectivity Policy in the Balkans”, analysing differing European and Chinese approaches to connectivity and pointing to the role of values, geopolitical interests and developmental dynamics in shaping cooperation in the Balkans.

The participation of the University of Banja Luka representatives in the conference in Beijing attests to the growing reputation of our academic community and its continued contribution to building scientific links with partners around the world.