The perception of finding themselves caught between two fires – an investor looking to maximise its interests, and a government allowing citizens’ health to suffer in return for economic gain – has sparked widespread anger among the population. Spontaneous civic activism has arisen in response to the environmental and health hazards in both cases. The paper analyses two main case studies: the copper smeltery located in Bor (taken over by China’s Zijin Mining in 2018) and the steel mill in Smederevo (acquired by the Hesteel Group in 2016). In contrast to the myth of China as a ‘bad investor’, it is argued that the foremost responsibility lies with the institutions of the recipient country, allowing for such environmental abuses to occur.

Is the health hazard real or perceived, and who is to blame? Making use of interviews with activists and experts, as well as of official documents and government responses, the paper analyses the ways in which environmental concerns, governance issues, and a ‘closed’ government are interlinked. Some of its largest investments, linked to heavy industry, have been accompanied by a manifest increase in pollution levels, sparking great concerns among the local populations and turning many citizens into environmental activists. In the second half of the 2010s, China has become one of the foremost investors in Serbia. Is the health hazard real or perceived, and who is to blame? The paper seeks answers to this question and analyses the ways by which environmental concerns, governance issues, and a ‘closed’ government are interlinked. Chinese increased presence in the country has brought about a great deal of controversy and its largest investments have been accompanied by an increase in pollution levels, sparking great concerns among the local populations. In the past couple of years, China has become one of the key investors in heavy industry in Serbia.

Download Eco Fighters