#Influence
TikToker’s Trip to China: The Influencer or the Influenced?
This article is part of a series of articles authored by young, aspiring China scholars under the Future CHOICE initiative. China has been cultivating a network of Western influencers across various platforms to shape global…
Chinese Influence in Bulgaria: Bubbling under the Surface
China’s presence in Bulgaria has taken on a subdued character, marked by the absence of high-level visits and major investment projects. Nevertheless, a growing network of joint initiatives – spanning business, academic, and media…
Voice for CHOICE #41: Breaking Down China’s Interference Activities with Justin Bassi
Australia has been a prominent target of China’s foreign interference. Beijing has been involved in various covert operations, including cyber espionage, attempts to infiltrate local politics, and efforts to sway public opinion through media…
Serbia’s Dance with the Dragon on the EU’s Doorstep
China’s expanding presence in the Western Balkans further complicates the region’s already tangled geopolitical landscape. For Serbia, as a lynchpin of China’s regional standing, the bilateral ties hold profound significance, even as they risk impeding the country’s pursuit of European integration. Facing, the challenge, the EU needs to make decisive steps to make Serbia finally decide whether it sees its future in or outside of the Union.
China in Georgia – A Developing Relationship
Despite limited cooperation so far, China maintains an interest in securing a footprint in Georgia, which occupies an important geostrategic position for China’s connectivity initiatives.
Editors’ CHOICE: Best of 2020
As the solar year speeds to a finish, it’s time for a retrospective on a record year for CHOICE, despite the well-known obstacles that had to be contended with. For a full catchup on…
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…
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…
Countering China’s Influence Campaigns at European Universities
This article was originally published at The Diplomat and is reposted here with the permission of the author. China’s efforts to manipulate academic discourse in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) cannot be easily discerned,…
Confucius Institutes: A Tool for Promoting China’s Interests
Confucius Institutes (CI), established at universities outside China, are intended to promote a positive image of the country in the world. CI branches are becoming an integral part of the establishments at which they…
Dealing with Chinese Influence in Central and Eastern Europe: What Can We Learn from Australia
The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) expanding influence in Europe, particularly Central and Eastern Europe, has been the source of increasing global attention and scrutiny. For those who have been monitoring Sino-Australian relations over the…
The Misguided Discourse on Chinese Influence in Central Europe
Relations of CEE countries with China are often a subject to controversy. Tamas Matura, Hungarian expert on China, sees little justification for criticism from Western EU members. He warns that applying double standards threatens to…