(Re)Digitalization of Diplomatic Practice During COVID-19: Implications for Development of China-Western Balkans Relations
Muamer Hirkić[1]
Abstract
The aim of the paper is to explore the three pivotal pillars of Track One and Track Two diplomacy (time, space, and protocol), by situating it in the context of the imposed digitalization of diplomatic practice during COVID-19, and digital diplomacy per se. Moreover, the paper attempts to record some of the recent changes in the dynamics of conduct of digital diplomacy, through the prism of China-Western Balkans relations. This qualitative study draws on the technique of semi-structured interviews with state officials, civil society representatives, academicians, political analysts, and media outlets from the Western Balkans, who work either on promotion or observation of relations between China and the Western Balkans. Due to the COVID-19, most actors from the state and civil society were forced to move their activities to the online sphere, and thus direct resources towards digital diplomacy – meaning that the study notes transformations in the online space and records interactions, instances of good practice, communication patterns, and assesses the role of disinformation during the pandemic.
Key words: time, space, protocol, digital diplomacy, China, Western Balkans, COVID-19
[1] Muamer Hirkić, MA in International Relations and Diplomacy, obtained at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Sarajevo. He also holds a BA degree in English Language and Literature from the Faculty of Philosophy. Currently, he works as a Research Assistant at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Sarajevo, and in the previous years he was a participant of many domestic and international conferences, seminars and workshops dealing with international politics, conflict resolution and peace studies. His research interests include the role of China in the Balkans, soft power politics and great powers competition, as well as the radicalization and violent extremism among youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina.