To the Moon and Back: A Critical Space Criminological Perspective on SerboChinese Collaboration in Lunar Missions

Activity: Lecture / Presentation › Academic

Description

China seeks a permanent presence in Europe by taking control of key European transport hubs, including strengthening its collaboration with Serbia. It is a major economic partner for Serbia, whereas Serbia views China as key to its foreign policy. Hence, they have a comprehensive strategic partnership in international forums, supported by strong political ties. Serbia also expanded its defence ties with China (e.g. deploying the FK-3 air defence system). While Serbia views this as military modernisation, other European nations are concerned about the impact on Serbia’s EU integration prospects. Moreover, Serbia and China have advanced cooperation in space technology and defence. They have agreed to focus their space research on satellite systems for agriculture, telecommunications, environmental monitoring, and geolocation. Also, Serbia joined the International Lunar Research Station program in 2024, contributing to a China-Russia-led, permanent lunar base. This paper explores how China’s investment in space cooperation with Serbia aims to solidify its presence in Europe. It will consider from a geopolitical-criminological perspective power dynamics, Astropolitics and policing in (and via) outer space (back on earth). Moreover, it will address how such a critical space criminology – at a cosmic level – ties into the regional, as situated in Balkan criminological debates.
Period9 Sept 2025
Event titleCriminal Justice and Security in Central and Eastern Europe 2025: CJS
Event typeConference
Conference number15
LocationLjubljana, SloveniaShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational

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