---
canonical: https://centinelas.es/from-tarmac-to-turning-point
title: "From Tarmac to Turning Point"
description: "This paper examines the limits of China’s geoeconomic influence in Albania through the failed 2016 acquisition of Tirana International Airport (TIA) by China Everbright Ltd. While Chinese investment has flourished in much of the Western Balkans, Albania represents an exception, where Beijing’s Digital Silk Road (DSR) ambitions have met persistent resistance. Unlike its…"
type: REPORT
lang: es
slug: from-tarmac-to-turning-point
published: 2025-11-13T19:17:18.000Z
modified: 2026-10-13T01:19:50.470Z
authors:
  - "Sophie Salas Kim"
pdf: /api/v1/public/article-files/53e6bf93-ccb8-4181-8beb-dd9c23ecb84d/pdf
---

# From Tarmac to Turning Point

> This paper examines the limits of China’s geoeconomic influence in Albania through the failed 2016 acquisition of Tirana International Airport (TIA) by China Everbright Ltd. While Chinese investment has flourished in much of the Western Balkans, Albania represents an exception, where Beijing’s Digital Silk Road (DSR) ambitions have met persistent resistance. Unlike its…