#China
A Diplomatic Incident in Lithuania Troubles Its Relationship with China
On August 23 Lithuania along with the other two Baltic states, Estonia and Latvia, commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way, one of the world’s largest ever peaceful political demonstrations. In 1989 approximately…
Chinese Influence in Bulgaria: Knocking on a Wide Open Door?
China’s influence in Bulgaria has been distinguished by two overarching tendencies in recent years. Chinese economic presence in the country has remained limited in comparison to other Central and East European states, marked by…
The Golden Handcuffs of Chinese Investment
China’s investments in the Baltic countries are so far insignificant, but the Chinese have their eyes on large strategic infrastructure projects, developments that are simultaneously tempting and worrying to the Baltics. During a dinner…
What’s at Stake in Hong Kong?
History is in the making on the streets of Hong Kong. Are we witnessing just another example of civil disobedience and popular demonstrations? Or perhaps this is another iteration of a ‘color revolution’, as…
China’s Fight Against “Erroneous Opinions”
China has been trying to control narratives on the Hong Kong protests in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia. The results have been mixed at best. On August 19, the Center against Terrorism and…
Mr. Blaha Goes to Tibet
Slovak MP Ľuboš Blaha visited China in August, extolling the Chinese communists’ achievements in Tibet.
The Curious Case of the China-Loving Slovak Parliamentarian Ľuboš Blaha
A Member of Parliament of the Slovak Republic Ľuboš Blaha led a parliamentary group on a visit to China in the second half of August, visiting Beijing and Tibet. Blaha’s real-time inflammatory ‘reports’ from…
Trojan Horses, Jilted Suitors
In recent years, Poland has been seen by some observers as a willing decoy for China as it seeks to wedge itself into Europe, and the arrest in January of a Huawei executive seemed…
The EU Badly Needs to Raise its Game on China
An effective EU China policy requires a critical mass of policy makers and practitioners who have studied China, its history, its political system and its language. We need them urgently. We cannot count on…
Inside of China’s Current Hassle with the ‘Rogue’ Mayor of Prague
Last week, Prague found itself in a diplomatic row with Beijing. Chinese foreign ministry, through its spokesperson Geng Shuang, asked the Mayor of Prague Zdeněk Hřib to “cease damaging the Czech-China relations.” The issue…
Chinese Investment in Greek, Sri Lankan Sea Ports: Analogies and Lessons Learned
While Greece and Sri Lanka are far apart, both countries sit on the ‘Maritime Silk Road’ of China’s signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Both countries have seen growing Chinese presence, particularly with regard…
Oxford-style Debate: Motivation of China in CEE
Motion: “China’s activities in Central and Eastern Europe are motivated primarily by economic goals” FOR the motion: ANDREEA LEONTE China Studies Fellow, RISAP China established the 16+1 (now 17+1, including Greece) platform seven years…