Call for Articles: China in the EU’s Eastern & Southern Neighborhoods

CHOICE is open for submissions examining China’s role across the EU’s neighborhood, with particular focus on Belarus in the Eastern Neighborhood, and the Western Balkans in the Southern neighborhood. We will also be glad to consider pitches on other countries in the EU’s neighborhood, provided they offer especially relevant or valuable insights. We welcome analytical, timely pieces that where not published elsewhere and explore how China engages with these regions or countries within and how local actors interpret its presence. A pitch resulting in publication of the article will be rewarded by a small honorarium.

Should You Submit?

We encourage submissions from graduate and postgraduate students, researchers, and professionals from across Europe that deal with:

• 1. China’s political, diplomatic, or security engagement in the EU’s neighborhood;
• 2. Chinese economic presence (i.e. investments, infrastructure projects, trade);
• 3. China’s narratives, media presence, propaganda themes, and disinformation activities;
• 4. Perceptions of the region’s national governments, media, experts, and wider public on China (ideally based on quantitative data);
• 5. Interactions and competition between China and other external actors (Russia, Türkiye, the US, the EU) in the region;
• 6. Implications of China’s involvement for EU neighborhood and foreign policy, potential enlargements, regional stability, and broader geopolitical dynamics.

If these themes match your interests or ongoing research, we invite you to contribute to CHOICE’s growing body of analysis!

How to Submit?

Please send the following to konrad.szatters@amo.cz by January 18, 2026:

• 1. A pitch of 150–200 words (longer pieces will not be considered) outlining your argument, relevance, and structure;
• 2. A short bio of maximum 100 words.

CHOICE team will review pitches on a rolling basis.