China's spending in Central and Eastern European countries is helping clear a path toward more investment in Western Europe, one former economic adviser to the Serbian government told CNBC. Beijing's interest in Central and Eastern Europe is "because they see big potential in their return regarding their path to the European Union," Vladimir Krulj, also president of Serbia's Komercijalna Bank, said. He explained that China was forging relationships with countries that were "more embracing (of) European values." China has pumped $9 billion into Central and Eastern European nations, according to state-run news outlet Xinhua. Sixteen countries in the region have signed up to China's Belt and Road Initiative, a massive initiative designed to increase Beijing's exports and global political power.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attend the completion ceremony of a new bridge across the River Danube on December 18, 2014, in Belgrade, Serbia. TPG | Getty Images

Serbia is enabling a "more clear path for Chinese investment into Western Europe," Krulj said. He also expressed the hope that Chinese investment, by aiding Serbia's economic growth, would "bring the bridges around … making Serbia being a part of the European Union easier." China's gross domestic product data released this month beat expectations — and the government's own target — by revealing 6.9 percent growth in 2017.

China pulling back on overseas investment

But China's investment last year was focused on the more developed economies of Western Europe, according to a report by law firm Baker McKenzie. It showed that Switzerland, the U.K. and the Netherlands received the most Chinese capital. The report said that foreign direct investment in Europe was up 76 percent to $81 billion due to the delayed finalizing of ChemChina's takeover of Swiss agribusiness firm Syngenta. Otherwise, the figure would have fallen 22 percent to $30 billion. French President Emmanuel Macron was in China earlier this month touting Franco-Sino economic corporation. U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May is rumored to have a China visit in the cards.