Research Papers
How to Do Trusted Research: China-Specific Guidelines for European Stakeholders
By the middle of this century, China intends to become a technology superpower. In order to achieve this goal, China seeks to acquire foreign technologies to boost its own technological base and enable rapid domestic…
Backing Russia on Ukraine: China’s Messaging in Central and Eastern Europe
A new CHOICE briefing paper analyzes Chinese messaging on the war in Ukraine targeting nine NATO and EU member states in Central and Eastern Europe, i.e., Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia,…
China’s Aid in the Western Balkans: Supporting Development, Undermining Good Governance
In a brand new CHOICE paper, China’s development assistance to all the countries that make up the Western Balkans is put under the microscope. The new study by Ana Krstinovska analyzes the Chinese economic…
The Environmental Impact of Chinese Projects in the Western Balkans
For years now, China has been trying to put a “green” label on its economic engagement under the auspices of its international Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, the reality on the ground has…
China’s ‘Digital Silk Road’ Enters the Western Balkans
The Digital Silk Road (DSR), an important component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is an increasingly scrutinized aspect of China’s foreign policy toolbox that combines the efforts of the Chinese government and…
Careful or Careless? Debating Chinese Investment and 5G Technology in Central Europe
The MapInfluenCE project is pleased to publish a brand-new comparative study, zooming in on media coverage of Chinese investment and Chinese involvement in 5G infrastructure in Czechia, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. The research is a follow-up…
Huawei in Central and Eastern Europe: Trends and Forecast
CHOICE’s latest exclusive report from a team of regional experts across Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia summarizes the ongoing debates on Huawei’s involvement in each of their respective nations, thus formulating…
Foreign Influence Operations: Analysis of the COVID-19 Pandemic in North Macedonia
A new policy paper by Ana Krstinovska deals with the growing issue of pro-China narratives in Europe, using the case study of North Macedonia. With the COVID-19 crisis serving as a significant catalyst, these…
Limited Welcome: Protecting the Media from Hostile Foreign Influence
A new policy paper by Ivana Karásková and Matej Šimalčík deals with the issue of protecting media from hostile foreign influence. Authors argue that media needs to be seen as a strategic industry. Especially during crises,…
One China under media heaven: How Beijing hones its skills in information operations
Ivana Karásková, the Founder and Leader of CHOICE, wrote an analysis for the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats on China‘s information operations in CEE. Traditionally, China’s influence toolbox has contained a mixture…
Handbook for Stakeholders: China’s Sticks and Carrots in Central Europe
The unique study of China‘s employment of ‘sticks’ and ‘carrots’ in its outreach towards Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary is now also available in the form of a shortened handbook for stakeholders. The handbook presents…
China’s Sticks and Carrots in Central Europe: The Logic and Power of Chinese Influence
A new comparative study of the MapInfluenCE project has revealed that China has been using a targeted mix of ‘carrots’ and ‘sticks’ to increase its influence in Central European countries. Findings reveal that China does…