China’s club for talking to Central Europe is dead, Czechs say

[Hamartia Antidote]

China’s club for talking to Central Europe is dead, Czechs say

Foreign Minister Lipavský tells POLITICO that he sees no future in Beijing’s ‘14+1’ diplomatic effort as relations worsen.

www.politico.eu

Foreign Minister Lipavský tells POLITICO that he sees no future in Beijing’s ‘14+1’ diplomatic effort as relations worsen.

China’s exclusive club for engaging with Eastern and Central European countries is defunct, the Czech foreign minister told POLITICO on Tuesday.

Jan Lipavský’s comments position the Czechs firmly in the camp of the U.S., dealing a potentially devastating blow to the 11-year-old so-called 14+1 initiative, which Beijing once hoped would revive relations with former Soviet states.

Speaking after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Lipavský said: “I thanked the U.S. on their strategic leadership on China. I assured Secretary Blinken that we are ready to work with them within the European framework. The 14+1 has neither substance nor future.”

Asked if Prague will formally withdraw, Lipavský added through a spokesman: “We are not an active member. We won’t speculate on any possible steps that we might choose to take.”

According to a readout from the U.S. State Department, Blinken and Lipavský “discussed shared concerns about the People’s Republic of China, as well as the importance of maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”

Beijing founded the grouping in 2012, initially with 16 European countries, in an effort to rebuild ties with the formerly Soviet-controlled part of Europe. The group expanded to 17+1 when Greece joined, but shrank to 14+1 when Lithuania, followed by Estonia and Latvia, decided to drop out. The initiative has withered as Central European governments have grown increasingly wary of China as a result of Beijing’s alliance with Moscow even as Russia wages war in Ukraine.

Nine of the EU’s 27 countries remain in the club: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Five non-EU countries are also involved: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

For the Czechs in particular, the souring of relations even pre-dated the war. In 2020, Beijing decided to punish Czech piano exporters in retaliation for a visit by Czech lawmakers to the self-governing island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

Lipavský’s remarks signal a further step away from Beijing since former NATO General Petr Pavel became president in March. Pavel has called for a rethink on foreign policy and vowed to build a closer relationship with Taiwan instead of China.

Later this month, the EU’s foreign ministers are due to re-evaluate the bloc’s relations with China at a key meeting in Sweden. The EU is expected to call for a stronger focus on strategic competition and systemic rivalry, although it would continue highlighting the importance of working with China on issues like climate change or debt relief for developing countries.

 

[AViet]

Next govertment may change tone and say differently. And i would not be surprised if the next US president flies to Beijing to seek China's help, just like Macron did.

In my imagination, he would say something like "sorry Mr. President, our last president was wrong. Taiwan is yours, everything you want are yours, but please help". And he would say something else back in the US.

Liberal democracy is the worst form of governing with regards to dignity, whose politicians can behave like prostitutes and pimps.

 

[nahtanbob]

Next govertment may change tone and say differently. And i would not be surprised if the next US president flies to Beijing to seek China's help, just like Macron did.

In my imagination, he would say something like "sorry Mr. President, our last president was wrong. Taiwan is yours, everything you want are yours, but please help". And he would say something else back in the US.

Liberal democracy is the worst form of governing with regards to dignity, whose politicians can behave like prostitutes and pimps.

East Europeans dislike Russian expansionism. There is no getting around that

Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

3 Baltic states, Czechs have left.

If Poland leaves formally it is pretty much dead

 

[Nan Yang]

Not entirely true. China can still deal with individual countries.

Fanfare as Croatia's Chinese-built bridge finally opens​

 

[nahtanbob]

Not entirely true. China can still deal with individual countries.

Fanfare as Croatia's Chinese-built bridge finally opens​

View attachment 935318

It looks like someone is relegated to public works projects

 

[Nan Yang]

China’s CSCEC to build $335m motorway in Bosnia and Herzegovina​

David Rogers
29.07.22

The road will run through the city of Brčko (Wirestock/Dreamstime)

China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) has won a €335m contract to build a 33km motorway in Republika Srpska, one of the two entities comprising Bosnia and Herzegovina, See News reports.​

 

[nahtanbob]

China’s CSCEC to build $335m motorway in Bosnia and Herzegovina​

David Rogers
29.07.22

The road will run through the city of Brčko (Wirestock/Dreamstime)

China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) has won a €335m contract to build a 33km motorway in Republika Srpska, one of the two entities comprising Bosnia and Herzegovina, See News reports.​

civil engineering vendor as usual

 

[Nan Yang]

China’s Plan for a Canal Trade Route from Greece to Europe​

ByPhilip Chrysopoulos
July 29, 2022

A ship of the Chinese giant Cosco in Greece. Credit: Cosco handout to GR

China is considering building a canal trade route from the Aegean sea to the Danube river to connect Greece and central Europe through the Balkans in order to expedite the shipping of goods.

This would be a part of China’s $3 trillion Belt and Road initiative to bridge the infrastructure gap along trade routes to Africa, Asia and Europe.

This also signals the Asian giant’s ambition to play an even more prominent role in global affairs.

 

[Viet]

China’s club for talking to Central Europe is dead, Czechs say

Foreign Minister Lipavský tells POLITICO that he sees no future in Beijing’s ‘14+1’ diplomatic effort as relations worsen.

www.politico.eu

Foreign Minister Lipavský tells POLITICO that he sees no future in Beijing’s ‘14+1’ diplomatic effort as relations worsen.

China’s exclusive club for engaging with Eastern and Central European countries is defunct, the Czech foreign minister told POLITICO on Tuesday.

Jan Lipavský’s comments position the Czechs firmly in the camp of the U.S., dealing a potentially devastating blow to the 11-year-old so-called 14+1 initiative, which Beijing once hoped would revive relations with former Soviet states.

Speaking after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Lipavský said: “I thanked the U.S. on their strategic leadership on China. I assured Secretary Blinken that we are ready to work with them within the European framework. The 14+1 has neither substance nor future.”

Asked if Prague will formally withdraw, Lipavský added through a spokesman: “We are not an active member. We won’t speculate on any possible steps that we might choose to take.”

According to a readout from the U.S. State Department, Blinken and Lipavský “discussed shared concerns about the People’s Republic of China, as well as the importance of maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”

Beijing founded the grouping in 2012, initially with 16 European countries, in an effort to rebuild ties with the formerly Soviet-controlled part of Europe. The group expanded to 17+1 when Greece joined, but shrank to 14+1 when Lithuania, followed by Estonia and Latvia, decided to drop out. The initiative has withered as Central European governments have grown increasingly wary of China as a result of Beijing’s alliance with Moscow even as Russia wages war in Ukraine.

Nine of the EU’s 27 countries remain in the club: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Five non-EU countries are also involved: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

For the Czechs in particular, the souring of relations even pre-dated the war. In 2020, Beijing decided to punish Czech piano exporters in retaliation for a visit by Czech lawmakers to the self-governing island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

Lipavský’s remarks signal a further step away from Beijing since former NATO General Petr Pavel became president in March. Pavel has called for a rethink on foreign policy and vowed to build a closer relationship with Taiwan instead of China.

Later this month, the EU’s foreign ministers are due to re-evaluate the bloc’s relations with China at a key meeting in Sweden. The EU is expected to call for a stronger focus on strategic competition and systemic rivalry, although it would continue highlighting the importance of working with China on issues like climate change or debt relief for developing countries.

It’s very hard for China to win the heart of others, least in Europe. Chinese lack of kind of soft power. China will win the hearts of the people in Africa, while Russia under Putin wins the glory in Venezuela and Cuba.

That’s how the world will look like in the future.

 

[nahtanbob]

China’s Plan for a Canal Trade Route from Greece to Europe​

ByPhilip Chrysopoulos
July 29, 2022

A ship of the Chinese giant Cosco in Greece. Credit: Cosco handout to GR

China is considering building a canal trade route from the Aegean sea to the Danube river to connect Greece and central Europe through the Balkans in order to expedite the shipping of goods.

This would be a part of China’s $3 trillion Belt and Road initiative to bridge the infrastructure gap along trade routes to Africa, Asia and Europe.

This also signals the Asian giant’s ambition to play an even more prominent role in global affairs.

China is not going to control anything @Nan Yang

 

[etylo]

China should not waste so much energy and resources on Europe. Europe will always be Europe, it will be always a lackey to America, racially and ideologically biased against China.

 

[mike2000 is back]

East Europeans dislike Russian expansionism. There is no getting around that

Agree, I think that's the main sticking point for China. Eastern European and balkan states hate Russia unlike any other other country and for right reasons given Russia historical and current hegemonistic designs on its neighbours. So China being seen as a close Russian ally makes it unlikely Eastern European country can ever side with China over US demands when push comes to shove. So there's no 2 way around that.

It’s very hard for China to win the heart of others, least in Europe. Chinese lack of kind of soft power

Yeah, but not just in Europe that China lacks soft power, even in Asia itself to be honest . Even South Korea and Japan have done a better job in this regard. Maybe its also due to censorship system that prevents some Chinese from exploring uncharted territory. You never know for real what the censors will approve or sanction, so why even take the risk to try? Better to stick to the same general acceptable things that are already common and approved in the market .

 

[OIO]

China’s club for talking to Central Europe is dead, Czechs say

Foreign Minister Lipavský tells POLITICO that he sees no future in Beijing’s ‘14+1’ diplomatic effort as relations worsen.

www.politico.eu

Foreign Minister Lipavský tells POLITICO that he sees no future in Beijing’s ‘14+1’ diplomatic effort as relations worsen.

China’s exclusive club for engaging with Eastern and Central European countries is defunct, the Czech foreign minister told POLITICO on Tuesday.

Jan Lipavský’s comments position the Czechs firmly in the camp of the U.S., dealing a potentially devastating blow to the 11-year-old so-called 14+1 initiative, which Beijing once hoped would revive relations with former Soviet states.

Speaking after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Lipavský said: “I thanked the U.S. on their strategic leadership on China. I assured Secretary Blinken that we are ready to work with them within the European framework. The 14+1 has neither substance nor future.”

Asked if Prague will formally withdraw, Lipavský added through a spokesman: “We are not an active member. We won’t speculate on any possible steps that we might choose to take.”

According to a readout from the U.S. State Department, Blinken and Lipavský “discussed shared concerns about the People’s Republic of China, as well as the importance of maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”

Beijing founded the grouping in 2012, initially with 16 European countries, in an effort to rebuild ties with the formerly Soviet-controlled part of Europe. The group expanded to 17+1 when Greece joined, but shrank to 14+1 when Lithuania, followed by Estonia and Latvia, decided to drop out. The initiative has withered as Central European governments have grown increasingly wary of China as a result of Beijing’s alliance with Moscow even as Russia wages war in Ukraine.

Nine of the EU’s 27 countries remain in the club: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Five non-EU countries are also involved: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

For the Czechs in particular, the souring of relations even pre-dated the war. In 2020, Beijing decided to punish Czech piano exporters in retaliation for a visit by Czech lawmakers to the self-governing island of Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

Lipavský’s remarks signal a further step away from Beijing since former NATO General Petr Pavel became president in March. Pavel has called for a rethink on foreign policy and vowed to build a closer relationship with Taiwan instead of China.

Later this month, the EU’s foreign ministers are due to re-evaluate the bloc’s relations with China at a key meeting in Sweden. The EU is expected to call for a stronger focus on strategic competition and systemic rivalry, although it would continue highlighting the importance of working with China on issues like climate change or debt relief for developing countries.

The Silk Road does not have to go to Europe, going to Africa is also an option.

 

[Nan Yang]

Agree, I think that's the main sticking point for China. Eastern European and balkan states hate Russia unlike any other other country and for right reasons given Russia historical and current hegemonistic designs on its neighbours. So China being seen as a close Russian ally makes it unlikely Eastern European country can ever side with China over US demands when push comes to shove. So there's no 2 way around that.

Not entirely true. There are also Eastern European countries that supports Russia.

Yeah, but not just in Europe that China lacks soft power, even in Asia itself to be honest . Even South Korea and Japan have done a better job in this regard. Maybe its also due to censorship system that prevents some Chinese from exploring uncharted territory. You never know for real what the censors will approve or sanction, so why even take the risk to try? Better to stick to the same general acceptable things that are already common and approved in the market .

Not entirely true. Censorship in China is overrated. Internet penetration in China is now more over 1 billion and increasing ! There are many many ways to go around the censorship.
Here's me using Google map in a hotel in Kunming, China. See the Roaming man module ?

Also many, many Chinese go aboard and return.

Quote
The number of Chinese students returning home reached 580,300 in 2019, up 11.73 percent year-on-year, the latest data released by Ministry of Education of China (MOE) showed, while the number of students studying abroad also increased by 6.25 percent to 703,500.

Quote
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Tourism dashboard, Outbound tourism ranking. In 2019, Mainland Chinese tourists took 155 million outbound trips, totaling $255 billion in travel spending. China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism. These figures indicate total outbound trips, including to Hong Kong and Macau.May 9, 2023

China should not waste so much energy and resources on Europe. Europe will always be Europe, it will be always a lackey to America, racially and ideologically biased against China.

Europe is only now becoming aware of United States intensions to prevent European Union GDP from overtaking United States. Its a only a matter of time, even the hard core Europeans Countries will restore normal relationship with China. Patience is a virtue.

 

[nahtanbob]

Not entirely true. There are also Eastern European countries that supports Russia.

Other than Viktor Urban in Hungary there is zero support for Russia