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In March 2021, the [[Lithuanian National Radio and Television]] (LRT) reported that in February, the [[Seimas|Lithuanian parliament]] agreed to leave what was previously China's 17+1 format. Foreign minister [[Gabrielius Landsbergis]] said the cooperation between Beijing and Lithuania has brought "almost no benefits".<ref name="lrt._Lithuania_mulls">{{Cite web |title=Lithuania mulls leaving China's 17+1 forum, expanding links with Taiwan |author= |publisher=[[Lithuanian National Radio and Television]] |date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |url= https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1356107/lithuania-mulls-leaving-china-s-17plus1-forum-expanding-links-with-taiwan}}</ref> At the same time, it was also reported that Lithuania would open a trade representative office in Taiwan, formally known as the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] (ROC) to boost unofficial relations with Taipei.<ref name="lrt._Lithuania_mulls"/><ref name="reut_Lithuania_says">{{Cite web |title=Lithuania says will open trade representation office in Taiwan |last=Sytas |first=Andrius |work=[[Reuters]] |date=March 3, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/china-ceec-lithuania/update-1-lithuania-says-will-open-trade-representation-office-in-taiwan-idINL2N2L11BP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/tiny-lithuania-stands-up-to-china-as-europe-freezes-investment-pact-with-beijing-101621718303245.html|title = Tiny Lithuania stands up to China as Europe freezes investment pact with Beijing|date = 23 May 2021}}</ref>
In March 2021, the [[Lithuanian National Radio and Television]] (LRT) reported that in February, the [[Seimas|Lithuanian parliament]] agreed to leave what was previously China's 17+1 format. Foreign minister [[Gabrielius Landsbergis]] said the cooperation between Beijing and Lithuania has brought "almost no benefits".<ref name="lrt._Lithuania_mulls">{{Cite web |title=Lithuania mulls leaving China's 17+1 forum, expanding links with Taiwan |author= |publisher=[[Lithuanian National Radio and Television]] |date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |url= https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1356107/lithuania-mulls-leaving-china-s-17plus1-forum-expanding-links-with-taiwan}}</ref> At the same time, it was also reported that Lithuania would open a trade representative office in Taiwan, formally known as the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] (ROC) to boost unofficial relations with Taipei.<ref name="lrt._Lithuania_mulls"/><ref name="reut_Lithuania_says">{{Cite web |title=Lithuania says will open trade representation office in Taiwan |last=Sytas |first=Andrius |work=[[Reuters]] |date=March 3, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/china-ceec-lithuania/update-1-lithuania-says-will-open-trade-representation-office-in-taiwan-idINL2N2L11BP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/tiny-lithuania-stands-up-to-china-as-europe-freezes-investment-pact-with-beijing-101621718303245.html|title = Tiny Lithuania stands up to China as Europe freezes investment pact with Beijing|date = 23 May 2021}}</ref>


The incident led to a diplomatic row with China and further trade disputes, including Chinese boycotts of Lithuanian components, dragging the [[European Union]] into the dispute.<ref>{{cite news |last= Bounds|first= Andy|date=3 December 2021|title=Lithuania complains of trade ‘sanctions’ by China after Taiwan dispute|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0ebaa7c7-761d-445e-b3e4-f5d2c9b4768f|newspaper=Financial Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lau |first1=Stuart |last2=Moens |first2=Barbara |title=China’s trade attack on Lithuania exposes EU’s powerlessness |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/china-trade-attack-on-lithuania-exposes-eu-powerlessness/ |website=politico.eu |publisher=Politico |access-date=18 December 2021}}</ref> Lithuanian President [[Gitanas Nauseda]] stated in January 2022 that it was a mistake in allowing Taiwan to open a representative office under the 'Taiwan' name, and that he was not consulted on the decision.<ref>[https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3162125/lithuanian-president-takes-aim-government-mistake-taiwan Lithuanian president takes aim at government ‘mistake’ in Taiwan representative office row], South China Morning Post, retrieved 8 January 2022</ref> Furthermore, a 2022 poll commissioned by the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Lithuania)|Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] found that a large majority of Lithuanian citizens are critical of current government policy towards China, leading to opposition figures calling for the repair of bilateral relations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bermingham|first=Finbarr|date=13 January 2022|title=Lithuanians overwhelmingly oppose Vilnius’ policy on China, poll shows|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3163163/lithuanians-overwhelmingly-oppose-vilnius-policy-china-poll|url-status=live|access-date=13 January 2022|website=SCMP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112183544/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3163163/lithuanians-overwhelmingly-oppose-vilnius-policy-china-poll |archive-date=2022-01-12}}</ref>
The incident led to a diplomatic row with China and further trade disputes, including Chinese boycotts of Lithuanian components, dragging the [[European Union]] into the dispute.<ref>{{cite news |last= Bounds|first= Andy|date=3 December 2021|title=Lithuania complains of trade ‘sanctions’ by China after Taiwan dispute|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0ebaa7c7-761d-445e-b3e4-f5d2c9b4768f|newspaper=Financial Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lau |first1=Stuart |last2=Moens |first2=Barbara |title=China’s trade attack on Lithuania exposes EU’s powerlessness |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/china-trade-attack-on-lithuania-exposes-eu-powerlessness/ |website=politico.eu |publisher=Politico |access-date=18 December 2021}}</ref> Lithuanian President [[Gitanas Nausėda]] stated in January 2022 that it was a mistake in allowing Taiwan to open a representative office under the 'Taiwan' name, and that he was not consulted on the decision.<ref>[https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3162125/lithuanian-president-takes-aim-government-mistake-taiwan Lithuanian president takes aim at government ‘mistake’ in Taiwan representative office row], South China Morning Post, retrieved 8 January 2022</ref> Furthermore, a 2022 poll commissioned by the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Lithuania)|Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] found that a large majority of Lithuanian citizens are critical of current government policy towards China, leading to opposition figures calling for the repair of bilateral relations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bermingham|first=Finbarr|date=13 January 2022|title=Lithuanians overwhelmingly oppose Vilnius’ policy on China, poll shows|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3163163/lithuanians-overwhelmingly-oppose-vilnius-policy-china-poll|url-status=live|access-date=13 January 2022|website=SCMP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112183544/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3163163/lithuanians-overwhelmingly-oppose-vilnius-policy-china-poll |archive-date=2022-01-12}}</ref>


====Estonia and Latvia====
====Estonia and Latvia====

Revision as of 20:51, 11 August 2022

China-CEEC
Membership
Establishment2012

Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (China-CEE, China-CEEC, also 14+1; formerly 17+1 from 2019 to 2021 and 16+1 from 2021 to 2022) is an initiative by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote business and investment relations between China and 14 countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE, CEEC): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.[1][2][3]

Format

The format was founded in 2012 in Budapest to push for cooperation of the "16+1" (the 16 CEE countries and PRC). In 2019 at Dubrovnik Summit Greece joined the grouping, while in 2021 Lithuania left it. The 16+1 meet annually; summits were held in Dubrovnik (2019), Sofia (2018), Budapest (2017), Riga (2016), Suzhou (2015), Belgrade (2014), Bucharest (2013) and Warsaw (2012). The China-CEE secretariat is in Beijing, with 16 "national coordinators" in each of the partner CEE countries.[4]

The format's goals are to promote the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and enhance cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, transportation and logistics, trade and investment".[5][6] These goals are supported by "growing ties in the areas of culture, education and tourism ... cultural exchanges, think tanks and NGOs."[5]

Withdrawals

Lithuania

In March 2021, the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) reported that in February, the Lithuanian parliament agreed to leave what was previously China's 17+1 format. Foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said the cooperation between Beijing and Lithuania has brought "almost no benefits".[7] At the same time, it was also reported that Lithuania would open a trade representative office in Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China (ROC) to boost unofficial relations with Taipei.[7][8][9]

The incident led to a diplomatic row with China and further trade disputes, including Chinese boycotts of Lithuanian components, dragging the European Union into the dispute.[10][11] Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated in January 2022 that it was a mistake in allowing Taiwan to open a representative office under the 'Taiwan' name, and that he was not consulted on the decision.[12] Furthermore, a 2022 poll commissioned by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs found that a large majority of Lithuanian citizens are critical of current government policy towards China, leading to opposition figures calling for the repair of bilateral relations.[13]

Estonia and Latvia

On 11 August 2022 Estonia and Latvia stepped out of the format.[14][15]

Infrastructure, investment and trade

This includes (as of 2017) Serbia's E763 Highway project, the Budapest–Belgrade railway and the China–Europe Land–Sea Express Route. In Croatia, a Chinese consortium led by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) was contracted for the first phase of the construction of Pelješac Bridge and its access roads. In Poland, Chinese companies acquired Huta Stalowa Wola's civil engineering machinery division and Poland's PBF bearings.

According to China Customs' statistics, China's trade volume with CEEC totaled $67.98 billion in 2017, a 15.9 percent increase compared to that of 2016.[5] According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, in 2016 China-CEE trade increased to $58.7 billion (from $43.9 billion in 2010), while its investment in CEE countries has accumulated to more than $8 billion, covering industries such as machinery, chemical, telecom and new energy.[6]

Cultural links

From 2012 to 2017 six new direct flight routes between China and CEEC have been opened, the number of Chinese tourists visiting CEEC increased from 280,000 to 930,000, and the number of exchange students doubled as well[provide figures]. A China-CEEC Coordination Center for Cultural Cooperation was opened in North Macedonia. In China, the China-CEEC training center for young artists and China-CEEC Cultural and Creative Industries Exchanges and Cooperation Center were opened in the southwestern city of Chengdu.

Reaction

Attributed as a ‘win–win’ cooperation for China, the countries involved, and the European Union (EU), Jeremy Garlick, a British assistant professor at the Prague University of Economics and Business, accused China as pursuing an assertive strategy of ‘divide and conquer’ tactics designed to benefit China at the EU's expense.[16] This view has been challenged however, including by the European Commission, European Parliament, and several scholars, who view China–EU relations as mutually beneficial.[17][18][19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Chinese '17+1' Initiative to Be Called '16+1' after Greece Joins Group". N1. April 13, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  2. ^ Introduction of the Secretariat for Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, on the china-ceec.org web (2013/11/20)
  3. ^ "Lithuania pulls out of China's '17+1′ bloc in Eastern Europe". POLITICO. 2021-05-21. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  4. ^ National Coordinators on the china-ceec.org web
  5. ^ a b c ‘16+1’ mechanism set to bolster China-Europe ties, on the china-ceec.org web (2018/07/10)
  6. ^ a b Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe: Promising Start, Doubtful Outlook, by Ágnes Szunomár, China-US Focus, December 6, 2017
  7. ^ a b "Lithuania mulls leaving China's 17+1 forum, expanding links with Taiwan". Lithuanian National Radio and Television. March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  8. ^ Sytas, Andrius (March 3, 2021). "Lithuania says will open trade representation office in Taiwan". Reuters. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  9. ^ "Tiny Lithuania stands up to China as Europe freezes investment pact with Beijing". 23 May 2021.
  10. ^ Bounds, Andy (3 December 2021). "Lithuania complains of trade 'sanctions' by China after Taiwan dispute". Financial Times.
  11. ^ Lau, Stuart; Moens, Barbara. "China's trade attack on Lithuania exposes EU's powerlessness". politico.eu. Politico. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  12. ^ Lithuanian president takes aim at government ‘mistake’ in Taiwan representative office row, South China Morning Post, retrieved 8 January 2022
  13. ^ Bermingham, Finbarr (13 January 2022). "Lithuanians overwhelmingly oppose Vilnius' policy on China, poll shows". SCMP. Archived from the original on 2022-01-12. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Estonia, Latvia withdrawing from China's 16+1 cooperation format". ERR. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Latvia ceases its participation in the cooperation framework of Central and Eastern European Countries and China". www.mfa.gov.lv. Ministry of foreign affairs of the Republic of Latvia. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  16. ^ Garlick, Jeremy (2019). "China's Economic Diplomacy in Central and Eastern Europe: A Case of Offensive Mercantilism?". Europe-Asia Studies. 71 (8): 1390–1414. doi:10.1080/09668136.2019.1648764. S2CID 203343108.
  17. ^ Directorate General for External Policies of the Union (May 2020). "EU-China trade and investment relations in challenging times" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-07-13.
  18. ^ "EU-China – A strategic outlook" (PDF). 2019-03-12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-03-22.
  19. ^ Cihelková, Eva; Nguyen, Hung Phuoc; Wožniaková, Mária; Straková, Radka (2017-06-30). "The EU-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Context of EU General Concept of the 'Strategic Partnership'" (PDF). Journal of Security and Sustainability Issues. 6 (4): 729–744. doi:10.9770/jssi.2017.6.4(17).

Publications

External links

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