On the Road away from Mandalay: Heading West along the “Silk Road” as China Moves Its Investments into Europe, around Russia

David A. Jones
(University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Warsaw, PL 02653, Poland)

Abstract: China appears to be resolved to pouring Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) over the next decade, despite the many trepidations of Western Europe, articulated most loudly by the United Kingdom (UK) and more quietly but aggressively by the Russian Federation. This will construct a modern “Silk Road” heading West in reverse direction compared to Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem, “On the Road to Mandalay” and its reflection on the trade route that led Europeans to China in search of silk and other exotic products beginning in the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.-220A.D.) and continuing for centuries later such as with Marco Polo in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Although European traders came to China and left, returning to Europe with the goods they had purchased, contemporary Chinese plan to move into Europe to reside as expatriates. Predictably, they are encountering trans-cultural obstacles in their work environment. Some obstacles will be inevitable, others can be avoided or overcome through awareness and careful planning by the Chinese themselves or their European partners. Outlining that plan to avoid or circumvent cultural obstacles along what one might call this modern “Silk Road” leading Westward into Europe is the aim of this article.

Key words: FDI; China; CEEC; Europe; cultural dimensions

JEL codes: F1, M1