CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies

NEW REPORT ALERT 🚨 The issue of electric vehicle imports (#EVs) 🚗⚡ has become one of the primary points of contention between the #EU 🇪🇺 and #China  🇨🇳 in recent years. Opinions about duties and potential Chinese retaliation differed significantly among EU member states. Our new situation #report 📊 maps social media 💬📱 #discourse about Chinese involvement in electromobility, in general, and the EU tariffs, in particular. KEY TAKEAWAYS: 📌 Discourse related to Chinese EVs in Central Europe shows a high degree of localization, with discussions affected by pre-existing geopolitical framing: Euroscepticism in #Czechia; anti-West and pro-China narratives in #Hungary and #Slovakia; and anti-German sentiments in #Poland. 🇵🇱 📌 Local concerns over Chinese EV investments and their potential negative impacts feature prominently in the discourse, sometimes clashing with pro-China government messaging in Hungary and Slovakia. 🇭🇺🇸🇰 📌 China-affiliated actors play a relatively minor role in the discourse, with formulaic content that does not specifically target local proclivities. Higher visibility of Chinese content in Czech discourse, 🇨🇿 supported by paid advertisements, does not translate into major engagement from local audiences. ✍️ By Filip Šebok, Marcin Mateusz Jerzewski 葉皓勤, Matej Šimalčík, Veronika Blablová, Joanna Nawrotkiewicz, Dorka Takacsy, Sebestyén Hompot, Kara Němečková, Robert Vancel This publication is the inaugural report of the project “Investigating China-related narratives in the Central European information space” that CEIAS is implementing in cooperation with Matej Bel University (Univerzita Mateja Bela v Banskej Bystrici), supported by the European Media & Information Fund (EMIF) managed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gBMtRTJQ

As we approach the close of another eventful year, we wish you a joyful #Christmas holiday season 🎄🎁 and a prosperous #NewYear! 🎉🥂 We appreciate your ongoing support of our mission to spread knowledge about #Asia. 🌏 We look forward to staying in touch with you in #2025. Our calendar is already buzzing with thought-provoking events and new projects. Stay tuned! Your CEIAS Team!

🎥 🎄 Looking for something special to watch this Christmas? CEIAS experts have put together a curated list of #movies and #series featuring Asian themes. 📋 Have your own favorites? We’d love to hear your recommendations too! 😊 Kristina Kironska, Matej Šimalčík, Veronika Blablová & Aneta Roth

Looking for Christmas holiday reads 🎄 or planning your 2025 reading list? 📋📚  📖 🌏 CEIAS experts share Asia-related #books you shouldn't overlook. Share with us the best book you read in 2024! Martin Sebena, Kristina Kironska, Aneta Roth, Adam Kalivoda

What Came Out of Fico’s China Visit? 🇸🇰 📄 In our new briefing, Matej Šimalčík and Filip Šebok unpack the key takeaways from Robert Fico’s November 2024 trip to China: ✅ Full Itinerary  ✅ List of Agreements & MoUs ✅ Political & Economic Outcomes ✅ Future Outlook of the evolving Sino-Slovak relationship 📥 Download the briefing now to read the complete analysis! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ezgnrZXF

Who is talking about Chinese EVs and EU tariffs on Czech social media? In our latest report, my colleague Veronika Blablová and I delved into the ongoing debates about China-made electric vehicles (EVs) across a variety of social media platforms in 🇨🇿. Using Juno by Gerulata Technologies, we looked at narratives surrounding Chinese EVs put forward by China-affiliated media and official accounts publishing in Czech and the local political discourse, with a special focus on “alternative media” and antisystemic voices. ➡️ Unsurprisingly, much of the discussion in Czechia is framed through an anti-Green Deal perspective. Our amazing colleagues from Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary (Matej Šimalčík, Robert Vancel, Joanna Nawrotkiewicz, Marcin Mateusz Jerzewski 葉皓勤, Dorka Takacsy, Sebestyén Hompot) provide snapshots from their respective local social media landscapes. 📖 Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gARG7KKf This publication is the inaugural report of the project “Investigating China-related narratives in the Central European information space” that CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies is implementing in cooperation with Univerzita Mateja Bela v Banskej Bystrici, supported by the European Media & Information Fund (EMIF) managed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

What do the Baltic states and Japan have in common? It’s their shared commitment to democracy and navigating some seriously stormy #geopolitical seas. Russia? China? No problem. Together, these regions are stepping up to tackle the big stuff: 🔒 #Cybersecurity that keeps the hackers guessing. 💼 Economic #partnerships that mean business. 🗣️ Strategic #communications to outsmart the disinformation game. Who says geography defines partnerships? When values align, collaboration thrives. Curious about how these underdog allies are shaping a more stable world? Check out my latest on CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies ⬇️💻 https://lnkd.in/dfNiWedC

What do Chinese EVs and Warsaw Castle have in common? Discover the connection in our latest analysis, where my talented co-author Marcin Mateusz Jerzewski 葉皓勤 and I explore the narratives shaping Polish online discourse around the EU's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Some of these might surprise you! This analysis is part of the broader research project “Investigating China-related narratives in the Central European information space” - a collaboration between CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies and Univerzita Mateja Bela v Banskej Bystrici, supported by the European Media & Information Fund (EMIF) managed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Our research dives deep into online discourses across the V4 countries, with exceptional contributions from Filip Šebok, Matej Šimalčík, Veronika Blablová, Dorka Takacsy, Sebestyén Hompot, Kara Němečková, and Robert Vancel. Perfect for reading on a train ride home for the holidays - happy winter break, everybody! ☃️

Economic #security and #FIMI are often treated as two separate issues in discussions about #HybridWarfare. However, they are more closely linked than it appears. Our newest report on social media discourse about #China-made #EVs and #EU tariffs looks at which narratives are forming popular opinion on this issue in the #V4 countries. Here is what we found out: 📌 Discourse related to Chinese EVs in Central Europe shows a high degree of localization, with discussions affected by pre-existing geopolitical framing: Euroscepticism in #Czechia; anti-West and pro-China narratives in #Hungary and #Slovakia; and anti-German sentiments in #Poland. 📌 Local concerns over Chinese EV investments and their potential negative impacts feature prominently in the discourse, sometimes clashing with pro-China government messaging in Hungary and Slovakia. 📌 China-affiliated actors play a relatively minor role in the debate, with formulaic content that does not specifically target local proclivities. Higher visibility of Chinese content in Czech discourse, supported by paid advertisements, does not translate into major engagement from local audiences. 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gBMtRTJQ This publication is the inaugural report of the project “Investigating China-related narratives in the Central European information space” implemented by CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies and partners. Many thanks to co-authors Filip Šebok, Veronika Blablová, Sebestyén Hompot, Marcin Mateusz Jerzewski 葉皓勤, Joanna Nawrotkiewicz, Kara Němečková, Dorka Takacsy & Robert Vancel. Thanks also go to Tomas Krissak & Gerulata Technologies team for their technical support. This dream team will be back after the New Year's. Stay tuned for more content coming soon!

🚨 China-related narratives in Central Europe 📃 As one of the contributors to this report, I’m excited to share our latest findings on the evolving discourse around Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in Central Europe. This report focuses on how local narratives shape perceptions of Chinese involvement in the EV sector and how recent EU tariffs on Chinese EV imports are being discussed. Here are some key insights from the Slovak perspective: 📌 Local Concerns: In Slovakia, discussions around Chinese EVs are strongly influenced by concerns about the potential negative impacts. These concerns sometimes contrast with the government’s more favorable stance, creating a complex dialogue within the country. 📌 Minor Role of China-Affiliated Actors: Interestingly, despite the active debates, China-affiliated content remains relatively minor in Slovakia's social media discussions. The messaging tends to be formulaic, lacking a specific focus on local concerns. This analysis is part of a broader project investigating China-related narratives in Central Europe, conducted by CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies collaboration with Univerzita Mateja Bela v Banskej Bystrici. Being affiliated with both, I´m really excited about those institutions partnering on this important work, supported by the European Media & Information Fund (EMIF). Read the full report to explore the dynamics shaping Slovakia and the wider Central European EV landscape.