Bölümler
-
In this episode, we explore the growing presence of Chinese electric vehicle companies like BYD and Leapmotor in Europe, challenging the region’s automotive dominance despite efforts like EU tariffs. The story unfolds with Germany's industrial base grappling with the "second China shock," revealing how its overreliance on China has left it vulnerable in the face of shifting global dynamics. As Central and Eastern Europe finds itself caught between German supply chains and increasing Chinese influence, the episode delves into the consequences of this dependency and the tough choices facing these economies. We also explore how Europe is being forced to rethink its approach, shifting from a traditional market mindset to one that embraces system competitiveness, all while considering the potential creation of Special Economic Zones to safeguard the region’s future. It’s a story of shifting power, economic risks, and the evolving battle for industrial dominance in Europe. This episode belongs to the special series which is part of the collaboration between CHOICE, ECFR, and OSW.
Janka Oertel is director of the Asia programme and a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. She previously worked as a senior fellow in the Asia programme at the German Marshall Fund of the United States’ Berlin office, where she focused on transatlantic China policy including on emerging technologies, Chinese foreign policy, and security in east Asia. Prior to joining the GMF, she served as a programme director at Körber Foundation’s Berlin office. She was also a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP Berlin) and worked at United Nations Headquarters, New York, as a Carlo-Schmid fellow.
Jakub Jakóbowski Deputy Director of the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) and the head of the China Department, having previosly served as the coordinator of the „Connectivity in Eurasia” project and a Senior Fellow on China’s economy. Formerly a Taiwan Fellow at Soochow University in Taipei and a European China Policy Fellow at the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS). He holds a PhD in political science from the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH), based on a dissertation on China’s foreign economic policy towards the Global South. He gives lectures at the Warsaw University and the Warsaw School of Economics. Member of a number of international projects and associations, including the Think Visegrad, China Observers in Central Europe (CHOICE) and the Horizon 2020 EU-STRAT project.
-
Disclaimer: This episode has been recorded in February 2025.
In this exploration of Lithuania's bold diplomatic stance on Taiwan, Lithuania’s former Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis provides a first-hand account of navigating the complex geopolitical tensions between Beijing, Taipei, and Vilnius. The conversation examines China's escalating pressure tactics following Lithuania's controversial decision to open a Taiwanese representative office, offering valuable lessons for democracies confronting authoritarian coercion. Our guest analyzes the strategic linkages between Russia's war in Ukraine and Indo-Pacific security challenges, evaluating NATO's evolving approach to China and questioning whether Western powers are sending appropriate deterrence signals. The episode delivers rare insights into how smaller democratic nations can shape international relations while navigating the increasingly interconnected security challenges across Europe and Asia.
This month's guest: Gabrielius Landsbergis is a Lithuanian politician and diplomat who served as Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from December 2020 until November 2024.
Links:
https://geopolitique.eu/en/2025/01/14/a-conversation-with-gabrielius-landsbergis-lithuanias-former-minister-of-foreign-affairs/
https://kyivindependent.com/us-russia-talks-are-the-last-warning-for-europe-gabrielius-landsbergis-says/
https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2423737/nato-must-draw-red-lines-for-russia-over-hybrid-attacks-lithuanian-fm
https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/resilience-resolve-lessons-lithuanias-experience-chinese-economic-coercion
https://globaltaiwan.org/2022/07/lithuanias-confrontation-with-china-over-taiwan-lessons-from-a-small-country/
-
Eksik bölüm mü var?
-
When discussing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, we often focus on its broader, pan-European implications. In doing so, we sometimes overlook the profound local impact on Ukrainian communities, with individual stories only occasionally reaching the mainstream. How has the war affected the Ukrainian people as a nation, and how are they coping? What has Ukraine discovered about the so-called "Axis of Evil" warfare alliance through its analysis of Russian military technology? How does China support the Russian military? We explore these questions - and much more - with Kateryna Musiienko.
This month's guest: Kateryna Musiienko is a Senior Foreign Policy Expert at the National Interests Advocacy Network (ANTS), Kremenchuk City Council Member, and the Deputy Head of the Committee for Foreign Relations, Education, and Youth. Kateryna is a former Advisor to Andrius Kubilius, a Member of the European Parliament, and former advisor to the Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament. She is a founder of the Ukraine Development Center NGO, which focuses on local European projects and reconstruction. She holds master’s degrees from the University of Oxford, the University of Passau, and the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
-
As China continues to speak about "peaceful reunification" while raising regional tensions, and Donald Trump's new administration takes full effect, Japan faces growing uncertainty. Despite maintaining a strong working relationship with president Trump during his first term, Japan can no longer fully count on U.S. military intervention. What does this mean for Japan’s future, and what steps will it take next?
This month's guest: Nobushige Takamizawa is currently Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo. Before coming back to Tokyo, he served as Ambassador of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva from December 2016 to January 2020. Between 2013 and 2016, he worked for the Cabinet Secretariat as Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Secretariat (NSS), and Director-General of the National Centre for Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC). He joined the Ministry of Defense in 1978 and has taken various positions in MOD including Director-General of the Bureau of Defense Policy and President of the National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS).
-
Since Xi Jinping's rise to power, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been undergoing extensive reforms. From increasing defense spending, to investing in new technological capabilities and learning from Russia's war in Ukraine, China has been set on transforming its military into a top-tier force. In this episode, Meia Nouwens discusses China's road to military modernization under Xi Jinping as China's President as well as the chairman of the Central Military Commission.
This month's guest:Meia Nouwens is a Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy at IISS, specializing in China’s defence industry, military innovation, and regional strategic affairs. She leads research on China’s Digital Silk Road and previously co-led the China Security Project with MERICS. Before joining IISS, she worked for the European External Action Service in Taipei and New Zealand, as well as in private-sector consulting on foreign policy and defence. She holds degrees in international relations from Macquarie University and Leiden University, and an MPhil in modern Chinese studies from Oxford and Peking University.
See notes:
Three Dates, Three Windows, and All of DOTMLPF-PChina’s Military Modernisation: Recent Trends - 2024DOD Report Details Chinese Efforts to Build Military PowerChina’s Modernizing Military | Council on Foreign Relations -
In November 2024, a tragic roof collapse at Novi Sad’s train station claimed 15 lives and ignited nationwide protests in Serbia. But what really happened? Who bears responsibility? And how do Chinese firms and their involvement in the station's reconstruction fit into the bigger picture? In this episode, we explore the fallout of this disaster, its impact on Serbia’s politics, and the potential effects on Sino-Serbian relations with expert insight from Stefan Vladisavljev.
This month's guest:
Stefan Vladisavljev holds program director position at Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society since April of 2024. Prior to that, Stefan was BFPE program coordinator and assistant. He is also part of the team behind Belgrade Security Forum. As a part of the program team, Stefan is responsible for program planning, speaker selection and analytical writing.During his engagement in BFPE, so far, he is mostly dealing with the topics in the field of international relations and security and foreign policy. His main expertise is cooperation between actors in the field of international relations, and foreign actors influence, with the focus on cooperation between Western Balkans countries and China. Stefan is also a CHOICE Fellow for the Western Balkan region.
See notes:
Serbia and China: What Does the “Shared Future” Hold for “Steel Friends”?
Chinese Influence in Serbia
“Steel Friendship” — Forging of the Perception of China by the Serbian Political Elite
FACILITATING KLEPTOCRACY: THE CONSEQUENCES OF CHINA’S CORROSIVE CAPITAL IN SERBIA
China’s 'Digital Silk Road' Enters the Western Balkans
-
The results of the 2024 US presidential election are set to shape the future of global politics, with potentially far-reaching effects on the balance of power, international relations, and economic strategies. How do key players like China perceive this pivotal moment, and what might a second Trump term mean for the evolving dynamics between the US, China, and Russia? Dive into this episode for an in-depth look at these critical developments and their implications.
This month's guests:
Vivian Wu - CEO & Founder of Dasheng Media Maria Repnikova - Scholar of China political communication, Associate Professor at Georgia State UniversitySee notes:
What Does Trump’s Election Victory Mean for Russia? What Trump’s Win Means for U.S. Foreign Policy What does Trump’s return mean for America’s relations with Russia? As the U.S. Votes, China Is Watching Dasheng Media -
In recent years, countries like Russia, Iran and China have started to ramp up their efforts to influence public opinion, interfere in democratic process, and undermine democratic regimes. Influence operations, including propaganda, disinformation, and psychological warfare have become one of the key avenues through which powers aim to exert influence. Taiwan, which is under continuous and growing pressures from China, has been at the forefront of developing strategies to increase population's resilience and effectively combat threats stemming from malign influence operations. So what is the current state of Taiwan's information ecosystem and what can the EU learn from Taiwan? And are there any areas where the EU and the US could cooperate with Taiwan? This and more will be discussed in this new episode of Voice for CHOICE, with a special guest, Puma Shen.
This month's guest
Puma Shen, Legislator in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, Founder of Doublethink Lab and Kuma AcademySee notes
Testimony for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Taiwan’s Experience and Response to China’s Influence and Interference China Index Narrative Intelligence: Detecting Chinese and Russian Information Operations to Disrupt NATO Unity Influence Campaigns from Iran, China, Russia Ramping up Ahead of Elections, Microsoft Finds The Chinese Communist Party’s Political Warfare Directed Against Taiwan: Overview and Analysis An analysis on the impact of false information on Taiwanese voters -
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 -
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
-
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
-
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
-
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?
-
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 - Daha fazla göster
