Czech–Chinese Relations: Friends or Foes?

This research paper aims to describe the evolving Czech–Chinese relationship in its complexity over the past 30 years. It chronologically analyses political and economic events that were crucial for the relationship and gathers statistical data to provide further evidence. The academic focus on China and CEE is very intense right now. Not only CEE countries are searching for best practices and strategies on how to approach the new player in their region, but also China itself actively promotes academic researchers and think tanks to publish on its new foreign policy concepts towards CEE to assure its relevance and importance. This paper contributes to the current research discourse by a comprehensive analysis of Czech–Chinese relations and policy recommendations for future development.
Keywords: Czech–Chinese relations, CEE, economy, foreign policy, Belt and Road Initiative