As China’s presence in the South Caucasus grows, marked by Strategic Partnership Agreements with Georgia and Azerbaijan, Armenia remains the only country in the region not to have entered into a similar arrangement with Beijing. Nonetheless, recent developments suggest that progress has been made in economic and political relations between the Republic of Armenia (RA) and the People’s Republic… Continue reading Armenia: China’s increasing presence in schools and academia
Since 2020, Slovak foreign policy has become increasingly polarized, with governments shifting between strong pro-Western alignment and a more pragmatic, multi-vector approach. The 2020–2023 administrations deepened ties with the US and EU while remaining cautious on China. In contrast, the Fico-led government since 2023 has pursued closer relations with China, criticized the EU, and maintained… Continue reading Slovakia: Domestic turmoil meets geopolitical clash
György Matolcsy, the former governor of the Hungarian National Bank, was a key figure in Hungary’s “Eastern Opening” policy toward Beijing, Moscow, and other non-Western partners. Following his fall from Orbán’s grace, the MNB-funded network of pro-Eastern Opening think tanks is also in trouble. Key takeaways: Hungary’s State Audit Office uncovered major financial mismanagement by… Continue reading Hungary’s “Eastern Opening Czar” falls out of Orbán’s grace
In light of concerns over political interference, many countries halted their cooperation with China’s Confucius Institutes, allowing Taiwan’s Mandarin learning centers to grow. However, the organization’s decentralized nature has led to a different path of development. Key takeaways: In response to global concerns about the Confucius Institutes, Taiwan launched its own Mandarin education initiative in… Continue reading Race for Mandarin: Taiwan’s language education institutes in Central Europe
