[fakedang]

I was looking at the issue from a more EU-centric perspective tbf. Not from the PoV of say Serbia or Pakistan.

For most of the aforementioned countries, such as Italy or Greece, in the event actual conflict happens (say Russian aggression with Chinese support/interference), the ties are loose enough that they can be severed with much less economic harm, than say Serbia or Pakistan which are apparently deeply integrated with the Chinese economy.

[milankragujevic]

Yes, in that case it is true. But, they were never in any danger of China to begin with. I look from my own point of view, and I do not like what I see one bit.

Bit by bit, all the vassal states an empire make.

[fakedang]

Take a look at the number of Western European startups and companies being acquired by China already. What the Western governments don't have are bottomless pockets of cash ripe for acquisitions. Instead the only tool they have are hostile regulations against foreign acquisitions. Even then, the allure of money is strong and the Chinese seem to find ways to extract technology, one way or the other.