Welcome to the 60th issue of the CEEasia Briefing.
In this issue, we dissect the following topics:
- Wang Yi meets Czech Foreign Minister
- Czechia and South Korea hold supply chain & energy dialogue in Seoul
- Vietnam-Hungary relations
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1. Wang Yi meets Czech Foreign Minister
What’s going on… Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in February. This was the first high-level diplomatic engagement between the two countries in seven years. The discussion focused on bilateral relations, EU-China ties, and the war in Ukraine, reflecting broader European concerns at a time when transatlantic relations are undergoing a deep crisis.
Going deeper… Wang Yi emphasized China’s willingness to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with Czechia but insisted that this would require Prague to respect China’s “core interests”, particularly adherence to the One China policy. He expressed concern over the recent decline in bilateral relations and called for “earnest self-reflection” on the Czech side to rebuild trust.
In response… Minister Lipavský acknowledged the importance of continued dialogue amid rising trade tensions and affirmed the Czech Republic’s commitment to the One China policy. Still, he also highlighted Czech-Taiwan economic and cultural ties. Beyond bilateral relations, the two ministers discussed the geopolitical landscape, including China-EU relations and the Ukraine war. Lipavský conveyed concerns over any indirect support for Russian aggression and invoked historical parallels, recalling China’s condemnation of the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.
This means… The meeting reflects a pragmatic shift in the EU foreign policy, as nations like Czechia reconsider their security strategies amid global uncertainties. While Czechia has aligned closely with Western allies in its stance on Ukraine and the EU’s de-risking strategy, the engagement with Wang Yi signals an effort to maintain open lines of communication and economic cooperation with Beijing.
For China… Improving ties with Czechia is part of a broader strategy to mend worsening EU relations, particularly as Beijing seeks to counterbalance uncertain ties with the US. Wang Yi’s call for rebuilding trust highlights China’s efforts to stabilize deteriorating ties with Central and Eastern European (CEE) nations, which are increasingly pursuing economic ties with Taiwan. Czechia’s collaboration with Taipei—especially in semiconductors—has yielded concrete results, such as the ACDRC Center in Brno, the Semiconductor Training Center in Prague, and joint research initiatives. This strengthens Czechia’s role in the global semiconductor supply chain. In contrast, Chinese investments in CEE have often underperformed, making Czech-Taipei cooperation a more reliable path for long-term growth and innovation.
A coin has two sides… Still, experts warn of growing risks from deepening dependence on China, particularly for Czechia, whose economy is closely tied to Germany’s automotive sector, which heavily relies on China. In contrast, efforts to strengthen economic ties with Taiwan are yielding results in high-tech sectors. Another key concern is China’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, which heightens European security risks and drives a massive influx of Ukrainian refugees, making Czechia the EU’s second most affected country after Poland. Experts advocate a pragmatic yet cautious approach to China while emphasizing the EU’s de-risking strategy—focusing on strategic autonomy, greater investment in defense and technology, and stronger global partnerships.
2. Czechia and South Korea hold high-level supply chain, energy dialogue in Seoul
What’s going on? Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček visited South Korea in February, meeting with his South Korean counterpart, government officials, opposition representatives, and key industry partners. The discussions focused on completing the Dukovany power plant, strengthening cooperation in energy and advanced technologies, and exploring new investment opportunities.
Going deeper… South Korea is a key economic partner for Czechia, ranking among its largest investors, with over 115 billion crowns in investments and around 70 Korean firms creating thousands of jobs. Given the importance of this relationship, Minister Vlček’s visit prioritized continuing the cooperation on strategic projects, particularly the construction of new nuclear units in Dukovany. Despite past concerns about the South Korean opposition’s stance on nuclear energy, Minister Vlček stated that he received assurances of full support for the Dukovany project, claiming that:
‘’We found the opposite to be true. During the meeting, the South Korean opposition confirmed to me that they fully support nuclear energy and the project for new nuclear units in Dukovany. They also expressed their readiness to further develop trade and cultural relations between the Czechia and South Korea. I believe that the strengthened Seoul–Prague route, now operating seven flights per week, will contribute to this as well.’’
Beyond official meetings, CzechInvest organized the Investment Conference, which attracted over 90 Korean firms. Representatives from the Confederation of Industry and Transport, along with 12 Czech companies from sectors such as nuclear energy, engineering, medical technology, and rail transport, engaged with South Korean investors, further strengthening technological cooperation.
Moreover… As part of efforts to expand cooperation to other sectors, the Supply Chain and Energy Dialogue (SCED) was introduced. This strategic format, shared by South Korea only with the US and the Czech Republic, facilitates collaboration in supply chains, e-mobility, semiconductors, and hydrogen technologies. Although nuclear energy, including the Dukovany project, is part of this initiative, SCED serves as a broader framework for strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
This means… The visit resulted in memorandums of understanding in semiconductors, hydrogen technologies, and electromobility. Future cooperation with the Korean Ministry of Industry in the semiconductor sector may include support for tech development, efficient use of supply chain capacities, and joint research in fields such as chip design and semiconductor production. Since semiconductors are a key part of Czechia’s economic strategy, strengthening collaboration with Seoul—home to industry leaders like Samsung—will enhance Czechia’s global competitiveness in advanced manufacturing and innovation, particularly in AI-related technologies.
3. Vietnam-Hungary relations
What’s going on? In late February, Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Bui Le Thai met with Hungarian National Assembly Speaker Laszlo Kover reaffirming both countries’ shared interest in strengthening parliamentary cooperation.
Going deeper… Vietnamese and Hungarian officials have marked 2025 as a crucial year for deepening bilateral ties, with several scheduled high-level visits, including those of President Sulyok and National Assembly Speaker Kover to Vietnam. Additionally, Vietnam has expressed strong interest in convening the 10th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Vietnam-Hungary Economic Cooperation as soon as possible. Another key issue under discussion is the recognition of Hungary’s Vietnamese expatriate community as the country’s 14th officially recognized ethnic minority.
However… Despite the Vietnamese Association in Hungary filing an official request for ethnic minority recognition (backed by over 1,000 signatures from Hungarian citizens of Vietnamese descent) the final decision now rests with the Hungarian Parliament. The country’s National Election Committee verified the signatures in January, but precedent suggests that Parliament may reject the request. A key obstacle is the requirement for the Hungarian Academy of Sciences to confirm that the ethnic group has maintained continuous presence in Hungary for at least 100 years. In this case, the Academy has previously ruled against it, stating that Vietnamese migration to Hungary does not meet this threshold.
This means… Both sides have signaled their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, building on momentum from 2024 that saw several high-level visits. This includes visits by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son to Hungary, where they discussed investments in IT and car manufacturing and signed agreements on university cooperation, tackling transnational crime, and inter-ministerial collaboration. Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó visited Vietnam in October 2023. Still a follow-up visit could further advance economic and diplomatic cooperation and serve as an opportunity for Hungary to take a more proactive role in shaping its relationship with Vietnam.
Quick takes on CEEasia developments
CHINA | Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD party in Germany, has been secretly meeting with the former Chinese ambassador to Germany, Wu Ken, for several years. These encounters took place once a month at the ambassador’s private residence and coincided with AfD’s espionage scandal, which saw the parliamentary aide to AfD MEP and European Parliament candidate Maximilian Krah arrested on suspicion of spying for China.
INDONESIA / PHILIPPINES | Czech Minister of Defense, Jana Černochová, visited Indonesia and the Philippines in mid-February, accompanied by a business delegation. Discussions during her visits focused on regional security dynamics and potential avenues for defense cooperation. In both Jakarta and Manila, Minister Černochová participated in business forums alongside key players from the Czech defense industry.
INDIA | India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France in mid-February, holding bilateral talks with the French President Emmanuel Macron. The two also jointly co-chaired AI Action Summit in Paris and inaugurated the new Consulate General of India in Marseille. Modi also addressed the 14th India-France CEOs Forum in Paris, bringing together representatives of French and Indian firms from sectors such as defence, aerospace and AI.
INDIA | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited India, along with the entire cabinet of 26 European Commissioners, at the end of February. She met Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussing closer trade and diplomatic ties. This includes in relation to the EU-India FTA and coordinating the response to tariffs and changes brought about by the new US administration.
