Episodes
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Despite growing interest in China and its global role, women analysts in Europe face several challenges, including limited access to professional networks, underrepresentation, and a lack of visibility. WiCH is a proactive response to these challenges, aiming to build a pan-European community where women in China studies can thrive. By fostering connections, providing mentorship, and amplifying the contributions of women, the initiative seeks to address gender imbalance and ensure diverse perspectives in China-related research and policy discussions.
This month's guest
Ivana Karásková, China Team Lead at Association for International Affairs (AMO)Show notes
Introducing WiCH: Empowering Women in China Studies Across Europe NüVoices NüVoices Won’t Let Beijing Silence Women -
Amidst the broader geopolitical tensions, the EU-China relations have seen significant changes. De-risking, economic security and strategic autonomy are at the forefront of such changes, with electric vehicle and raw material supply chains driving the EU’s concerns. As the EU continues down the de-risking path, we discuss the anti-subsidy probe into made-in-China electric vehicles and the Critical Raw Materials Act, with a special focus on their implications for the CEE region.This month's guest
Dominika Remžová, China Analyst at Association for International Affairs (AMO)Show notes
From Zero to Hero? Chinese Investment in Electric Vehicle Supply Chains in the Visegrád Four “WIN SOME, LOSE SOME”: China's Involvement in the Extractive and Raw Materials Industries in the Western Balkans Balancing Act: Managing European Dependencies on China for Climate Technologies US and Europe: 2 Different Approaches to Restricting Chinese EVs Ain’t No Duty High Enough Reverse Dependency: Making Europe's Digital Technological Strenghts Indispensable to China -
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North Korean regime has increasingly benefited from deepening cooperation with Russia, a development not fully welcomed by its traditional ally, China. North Korea has supplied the Russian Federation with munitions and other military equipment in exchange for food, raw materials, and components for weapons manufacturing. This growing partnership enables North Korea to circumvent international sanctions, sustain its regime, and bolster its military capabilities, further complicating regional and global security dynamics.
This month's guest
Dr. Niklas Swanström, Director of the Institute for Security and Development Policy
Show notes
EU-Taiwan Semiconductor Supply Chain: Resilience amid the Digital and Green Transition
China as a Mediator in North Korea: Facilitating Dialogues or Mediating Conflicts?
Why Taiwan Matters to Europe
EU-Japan-Taiwan Cooperation: Building a Blue Supply Chain
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The European Union's engagement in the Indo-Pacific has grown significantly in recent years, driven by the region's strategic importance and economic dynamism. The EU aims to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific through enhanced cooperation with regional partners like Japan, India, and ASEAN. Moreover, it has become increasingly clear that Europe and Asia are not separate theatres but are deeply intertwined.
This month's guest
Abigaël Vasselier, Head of Program Foreign Relations at MERICS.
Show notes
China-Russia alignment: a threat to Europe's security
Navigating Taiwan relations in 2024: Practical considerations for European policy makers
Profiling relations of European countries with China
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In recent years, we have seen increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China has intensified its military drills around the island and increased coercive tactics against Taiwan, sparking debates about a potential contingency. Discussions revolve around whether Beijing might choose a blockade or a full-scale invasion to alter the status quo. The role of the U.S. and the EU will be crucial in maintaining stability in the Strait and deterring China from making unilateral changes to the current situation.
This month's guest
Bonnie Glaser, Managing Director of the German Marshall Fund's Indo-Pacific Program.
Show notes
Why UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 Does Not Establish Beijing’s “One China” Principle: A Legal Perspective
Taiwan's Most Pressing Challenge is Strangulation, Not Invasion
Transcript: Situation in the Taiwan Strait
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NATO's growing interest in the Indo-Pacific region has stemmed from the Alliance's recognition of the strategic implications of China's rise. Furthermore, the war in Ukraine has underscored the growing geopolitical interdependence between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. That is why NATO has strengthened dialogue and cooperation with its partners in the Indo-Pacific region – Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand and NATO members have increased their presence in the region.
This month's guest
Prof. Dr. May-Britt U. Stumbaum, Professor of Security Studies and Strategic Competition at the George C. Marshall Center and Director of The SPEAR Institute.
Show notes
L’impact de la polarisation entre la Chine et les États-Unis dans l’espace indopacifique : le point de vue de la Chine
HOE DE EUROPESE DEMOCRATIE TE WAPENEN TEGEN CHINA
China’s power politics 2.0: Regime survival and global leadership
War By Narrative?
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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 and social platforms. Chinese government-linked entities have been accused of leveraging Chinese student associations to promote Beijing's agenda. Hacker groups associated with Beijing have carried out attacks against the computer networks of the Parliament and the three main political parties, as well as individual MPs who are part of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). Furthermore, an Australian politician was offered a financial contribution in exchange for changing their stance on China-related issues. These activities aim to undermine Australia's sovereignty, democratic institutions, and strategic interests. In response, the Australian government passed legislation criminalizing foreign interference and introduced the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme. Despite these efforts, the challenge of countering China's sophisticated and persistent tactics persists.
This month’s guest
Justin Bassi, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.Show notes
Dialogue with China’s Premier Li was a missed opportunity Stabilising relations with China mustn’t come at the expense of Australia’s security Collective consistency is the answer to Beijing’s trade coercion Time for the Quad to bare its teeth on regional security -
In October 2023, The European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into the imports of Chinese battery electric vehicles. Furthermore, the commission has instructed customs authorities to start registering the import of electric vehicles from China so that the EU could impose retroactive tariffs. As the decision day on whether to impose definitive duties approaches, Beijing becomes increasingly agitated. Meanwhile, Chinese carmakers BYD and Geely-owned Volvo are ramping up investments in electric vehicle (EV) production across Central Europe, with other companies likely to follow suit. While these investments are generally welcomed by local governments, they are viewed by some as posing additional risks to the European automotive industry.
This month’s guest
Gregor Sebastian, Senior Analyst at Rhodium Group.Show notes
Ain’t No Duty High Enough Pole Position: Chinese EV Investments Boom Amid Growing Political Backlash Tipping Point? Germany and China in an Era of Zero-Sum Competition -
In early May, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a state visit to France to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. This visit, his first to Europe since the pandemic began, occurred against the backdrop of the EU investigation into Chinese electric vehicle exports and Beijing’s retaliatory probe into imports of French-made brandy. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, participated in the tripartite meeting, adding a European dimension to the discussions. The leaders jointly urged Xi to tackle issues related to China’s overcapacity in electric vehicles and green technologies and addressed the issue of China’s export of dual-use technologies to Russia. Despite raising these concerns, the two sides concluded 32 agreements during the visit. Xi then continued his European tour to Serbia and Hungary, where he sought to strengthen ties, a move perceived by some as an attempt to create divisions within Europe.
This month’s guest
Abigaël Vasselier, Director Policy & European Affairs/Head of Program Foreign Relations at Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS).Show notes
China’s Missing Offer to Europe ahead of the EU-China Summit “Sur la Russie, le message de Xi Jinping à l’Occident est très clair” -
While it is true that China has served as a crucial economic support for Russia during the war in Ukraine, it has not fully compensated for the decline in Russian export revenue from the EU. Beijing has supplied Moscow with dual-use goods and technology but there has been no direct provision of lethal military equipment from China to Russia, as the Chinese government and businesses are wary of triggering Western secondary sanctions and losing access to the European market. Thus, It is unlikely that the Chinese government and defense companies will substantially support Russia with heavy weaponry and ammunition in its ongoing conflict against Ukraine. One reason for China holding back is the nuanced and cautious attitude of its foreign policy elites on Russia’s war.
This month’s guest
Dr Thomas Eder, Visiting Fellow at China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE), Post-Doc Researcher at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip).Show notes
Will China Save Russia’s Military in 2023? – Chinese Expert Debates on China-Russia Relations and the Long War in Ukraine Chinese Approaches to the Eastern Neighborhood Moscow’s Failed Pivot to China China-Russia Relations in Central Asia -
In the past few years, Hungary has seen a surge in new investments from Chinese companies in the EV industry. Chinese battery and EV makers have been attracted by the favorable political climate and generous state support. Additionally, Hungary and China have been working towards closer collaboration in the areas of policing and security. During a recent visit by China's Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong, the two countries signed a series of agreements aimed at improving cooperation in these areas. This will allow Chinese police to patrol alongside Hungarian police on Hungarian soil. As a result of these developments, Hungary is increasingly becoming a hub of Chinese influence in the region. In the past, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been accused of acting as a trojan horse for China within the EU, as he has opposed measures aimed at China. With Hungary's growing dependency on China, this trend is likely to continue.
This month’s guest
Szabolcs Panyi, Investigative Editor at the VSquare Project.
Show notes
Goulas: Tales of Spying, Smuggling, and Chinese Influence Hungary Could Turn into China's Trojan Horse in Europe The Fight Over Fudan: A Chinese University in Budapest Sparks Reckoning for Sino-Hungarian Relations -
In January 2024, the European Commission revealed five new initiatives aimed at advancing the implementation of its Economic Security Strategy, which was formally introduced in the summer of the previous year. The proposal seeks to tighten inbound investment screening rules and create greater export control conformity within the EU. With regard to outbound investment screening, which is the most controversial issue of the package, the Commission remains relatively sober. The strategy calls for a risk assessment of outbound investment and related security issues through a public consultation process. The package puts a strong focus on research security. However, there is little that can be done at the EU level since the competencies are mainly spread among national, sub-national, and institutional levels in the Member States. While the package aims to scale up dual-use and advanced research, it lacks a financial strategy to strengthen the bloc’s technological and industrial capabilities.
This month’s guest
Tobias Gehrke, Senior Policy Fellow at the Global European Council on Foreign Relations.
Show notes
A maker, not a taker: Why Europe needs an economic security mechanism The power of control: How the EU can shape the new era of strategic export restrictions High-voltage trade: How Europe should fight the electric vehicle wars Missing money: Why Europe’s economic security requires a critical technology investment plan Strategy and risk: How to make the Green Deal Industrial Plan a geoeconomic success -
Despite Beijing’s attempts to influence the elections, Taiwan’s commitment to democracy has prevailed, and the people of Taiwan elected their new leader last week. William Lai, from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), emerged victorious in the recent presidential race. This result is likely to sustain the status quo in cross-strait relations, characterized by continued tensions and limited dialogue. Beijing’s reaction to the elections has been relatively muted compared to the massive incursions following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022. However, Nauru’s announcement to sever ties with Taiwan and establish relations with Beijing came as a surprise to many. Taiwan is grappling with diminishing international recognition, struggling to keep pace with China’s dollar diplomacy. The question now is whether Taiwan can offset these losses by expanding unofficial relations with like-minded countries.
This month’s guest
Michael Mazza, Senior Director at the Project 2049 Institute and Senior Non-resident Fellow at the Global Taiwan Institute.
Show notes
Taiwan keeps choosing democracy — and rejecting China The Axis of Disorder: How Russia, Iran, and China Want to Remake the World The Wrong Way to Lower Tensions in the Taiwan Strait -
The 2024 presidential election in Taiwan holds great significance as it will determine the future of Taiwan's relationship with China, the United States, and the rest of the world. Though the West often views Taiwan's elections through the lens of cross-strait relations and the risk of Beijing's invasion, most Taiwanese voters are more concerned with domestic issues such as housing policy, low wages, and energy security. The elections will also reflect how the Taiwanese people view their national identity and sovereignty. The three candidates have different strategies for dealing with the cross-strait issues and enhancing Taiwan's global presence. Contrary to previous elections, the results remain uncertain as the race is expected to be tight. One of the significant challenges facing Taiwan is the threat of disinformation and propaganda from China, which aims to sway public opinion and undermine democracy in Taiwan.
This month's guest
Marcin Jerzewski, Head of Taiwan Office of the European Values Center for Security Policy and Research Fellow at Taiwan NextGen Foundation.Show notes
Lithuania-Taiwan Relations: A Temperature Check Taiwan should support CEE ties Appreciating the Importance of Taiwan’s Parliamentary Diplomacy -
After the honeymoon period of Czech-China relations that started in 2013, the bilateral ties gradually soured. This shift was linked to the perceived lack of benefits stemming from economic cooperation and various security-related events that gave rise to skepticism regarding the profitability and viability of closer ties with China. The current government, sworn in 2021, has been cautious towards Beijing and has worked towards improvement of ties with Taiwan. In March this year, Speaker of the Parliament Markéta Pekarová Adamová led a strong delegation to Taipei, resulting in the signing of a number of business deals and establishing cooperation between academia, and even military, and security services. The new President Petr Pavel made news for speaking over the phone with Tsai Ying-wen, who called him in January to congratulate him on his election victory. Czechia thus established itself as one of Taiwan’s best friends within the EU.
This month's guest
Petr Kolář, Advisor to President Petr Pavel, Senior Advisor at Squire Patton Boggs Prague. -
In recent years, the US imposed a set of restrictions on exports of advanced semiconductors and chipmaking equipment to China. While China’s nanoelectronics sector has been cut off from access to leading technology necessary to produce cutting-edge chips competitively, side effect of the restrictions has been China‘s growing market share in mature nodes as it doubles down on self-reliance. In face of the global chip shortage and Europe’s struggles to keep pace with the global semiconductor industry, the bloc decided to boost its own domestic chip production through the EU Chips Act. The legislation aims to strengthen the EU’s supply chain resilience and reduce geopolitical risks linked to the growing US-China tensions. While experts diverge on the consequences of a potential Taiwan contingency on the semiconductor industry, the island’s visibility has significantly increased thanks to the issue.
This month's guest
Mathieu Duchâtel, Resident Senior Fellow and Director of International Studies at Institut Montaigne.Show notes
Semiconductors in Europe: The Return of Industrial Policy Tech Transfers: The Case for an EU-Japan-Us Cooperation Framework The Weak Links in China's Drive for Semiconductors Economic Security: the Missing Link in EU-Japan Cooperation -
In September parliamentary elections, pro-Russia leftist populist SMER-SD led by former PM Robert Fico secured victory, taking the lead over the liberal Western-oriented Progressive Slovakia (PS). SMER-SD managed to form a coalition with Peter Pellegrini's HLAS-SD, a social-democratic party that split from SMER-SD, and the Slovak National Party (SNS). During his time in opposition, Fico has undergone a radical transformation, emerging as a strong Eurosceptic and critic of the US. Many fear that Fico will shift the country’s foreign policy towards the East while aligning with Orbán on approach towards both Beijing and Moscow.
This month's guest
Nikoleta Nemečkayová, Analyst at the Association for International Affairs (AMO).Show notes
Setting on an East-Bound Course? Slovak Political Parties’ Views on China and Russia -
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created a momentum for Georgia to become a major transit hub as both the EU and China are looking to diversify their trade routes away from Russia. Over the past decade, Tbilisi and Beijing have deepened their economic ties. At the end of July 2023, China and Georgia announced an upgrade in bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. While China is seeking to expand its presence in the South Caucusus, Tbilisi might be using the partnership with China to grant concessions from Brussels ahead of the EU's decision on the country's candidacy for membership.
This month's guest
Emil Avdaliani, Professor of International Relations at European University in Tbilisi.Show notes
New World Order and Small Regions: The Case of South Caucasus China, Russia and New Eurasian Order China Still Ambivalent About the Middle Corridor -
China’s tacit approval for the Russian invasion of Ukraine is significantly shaping both the Polish public opinion on China as well as the political and business elite's perception of China. Although views still diverge among different actors and political parties. Geopolitical shifts underway with the US and China also played a role in shaping Sino-Polish relations. Furthermore, the growing perception that NATO’s eastern flank as a theater of war and East Asian geopolitical theaters are merging constitutes a source of concern for Warsaw.
This month's guest
Alicja Bachulska, Research Fellow at CHOICE and Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.Show notes
Breaking the Mold: Poland Changes Course on China Policy Amid War in Ukraine The China-Russia Power Play China and Ukraine: The Chinese debate about Russia’s war and its meaning for the world Recent Polling Uncovers the Blind Spots in the European China Debate -
China is among the biggest global importers of all the Western Balkans extractive exports. China’s interest in the region's extractive and raw materials industries is related to its overall need for certain raw materials as they are crucial in supporting the country's manufacturing sector, fueling economic growth, and supporting technological advancements across various industries. While exports and investments in the extractive sector do help the local economies, the overreliance on extractive exports from polluting industries, which deplete natural resources and have a low value-added component in the bilateral trade relationship, is a reason for concern. Moreover, some Chinese projects seem to exploit structural weaknesses related to rule of law and good governance, as seen especially in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This Month’s Guest
Ana Krstinovska, Research Fellow at CHOICE, President at ESTIMA.Show notes
“Win Some, Lose Some”: China’s Involvement in the Extractive and Raw Materials Industries in the Western Balkans - Show more
