CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies

New Paper Alert ?? How do the Chinese operations of European companies impact their home countries? Our Chief Economist, Martin Sebena, tackles this question in our latest paper, analyzing the contribution of European firms’ investments in China to European economies and the risks they entail. ???????? ?? This paper: ?? introduces the academic discussion on foreign direct investment’s impact on home countries, including key concepts and econometric findings ?? explains and quantifies the impact of European companies' activities in China on their home countries ?? uses Volkswagen China, the EU’s largest investor in China, as a case study ?? evaluates scenarios that could alter the cost-benefit analysis of investments in China ?? Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/eDS7SBDJ

Why should the #EU deepen ties with #Mongolia? ???????? Paul Ainscough examines the strategic importance of strengthening EU-Mongolia relations, highlighting how closer ties can support Mongolia’s democracy, ????? reduce its dependence on #Russia and #China, and secure critical #minerals ??????? for Europe’s #green transition. ?? KEY TAKEAWAYS: ?? EU-Mongolia relations have been on a steady upward trajectory since the latter’s transition from a single-party communist state to a multi-party democracy with a market-oriented economy in the early 1990s. ?? By strengthening bilateral relations, European leaders can promote Western principles in a region where they are sorely lacking, support Mongolia as a success story that inspires other nations to democratize, and secure access to critical minerals for the green transition. ?? The EU should act as a counterbalance in a manner that reduces Mongolia’s dependence on neighboring Russia and China without compromising those partnerships. ?? More about benefits of closer Europe-Mongolia ties here: https://lnkd.in/eqtmZtKT

?? Thailand Deports Dozens of Uyghurs to China ?? On Thursday, at least 40 #Uyghurs were deported to #China ???? after being held for 10 years in a #Bangkok ???? detention center. "The deportation suggests that Thailand is either prioritizing stronger ties with Beijing at the expense of its US relationship or seizing an opportune moment, anticipating fewer repercussions given Washington's current pro-deportation stance," says Kara Něme?ková, CEIAS Research Fellow.

??? Dnes jsme měli tu ?est p?ivítat s Miroslav Plundrich na?University of West Bohemia, Pilsen?Filip ?ebok - experta na sou?asnou ?ínu a ?editele pra?ské kancelá?e?CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies ?? Jeho inspirativní p?edná?ka na téma?sou?asnych ?ínsko-tchajwanskych vztah??nám p?inesla cenné poznatky a podněty k zamy?lení nad dynamikou v této klí?ové oblasti. ?? Děkujeme za náv?těvu a tě?íme se na dal?í setkání! #UWB #CEIAS #China #Taiwan #InternationalRelations #AsianStudies #UniversityEvent #GuestLecture #Diplomacy

How can smaller democracies defend against #hybridwarfare? This was the topic for discussion at the 4th Czechia-Taiwan Forum, which was held yesterday in Taipei & organized by European Values Center for Security Policy #Taiwan Office. Thanks Marcin Mateusz Jerzewski 葉皓勤 for the invite to represent CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies & to discuss with our Taiwanese friends about how to preserve #democracy at this crucial point in time.

CEIAS Considers is back! Our Q&A series returns with expert insights on today’s most pressing issues. This time, we discuss the EU’s newly unveiled Competitiveness #Compass – a strategic framework designed to boost the EU’s standing on the global stage. Will this initiative help the EU get ahead in the current geopolitical competition? ?????? ?? Filip K?enek (EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy) is skeptical that the Competitiveness Compass will strengthen the EU in geopolitical competition: ‘’The Compass offers a roadmap for strengthening the EU’s economic standing as a response to these vulnerabilities, seeking to position the EU as a stronger global competitor. However, its ability to help the EU outpace China and the US remains uncertain.’’ ?? Martin Sebena?(CEIAS) doubts it will improve the bloc’s global competitiveness: ‘’Both China and the US have moved on, and while in both cases it is hard to neatly define or even pinpoint their new economic governance, the one common feature they share is the determination of the governments to actively and decisively shape economic structures in their countries. The Commission’s cautious, piecemeal evolution will likely result in the EU lagging even further behind its main geoeconomic competitors.’’ Stay informed on this key EU initiative and its impact on the bloc’s economy. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eR43cJjK

???????? TAIWANESE DRONES IN EUROPE: OPPORTUNITY FOR DEFENSE COOPERATION I have long been arguing that #Taiwan-EU relations need specific sectoral cooperation agendas to flourish long-term, aligning interests at both policy and B2B levels. While semiconductors remain the primary focus, #UAV production is emerging as a promising avenue for cooperation. There are five things we should keep in mind here: 1?? With the #USA retreating, Europe is working on rapidly filling defense gaps. Cooperation with #IndoPacific partners (South Korea is already one of the key arms suppliers to European countries - https://lnkd.in/epSmQak5), including Taiwan’s #drone industry, is becoming crucial. 2?? Expanding cooperation beyond semiconductors helps maintain Taiwan’s strategic importance in Europe, especially amid calls for increased engagement with China (this is one of the collateral damages caused by the Trump administration’s Europe policy, even though Europe had this long time coming). 3?? Drone production cooperation could potentially have spill-over effects. Extending to the battery industry would be most relevant, to address China’s dominance and potential supply chain vulnerabilities. Since drone production is reliant on battery supplies, Taiwan and European partners will need to find ways to strengthen the supply chain and avoid batteries becoming a major production bottleneck (we have seen this already last year as China restricted battery exports to US drone producers). 4?? Investing in UAV production in Europe could gradually normalize the idea of wider security and defense collaboration with Taiwan. This has been often seen as taboo by Europeans due to concerns over retaliation by #China. 5?? Establishing drone production capacities outside Taiwan contributes to its own military preparedness. This could allow Taiwanese companies to maintain production of important equipment in the event of China’s aggression (naturally, supply chain and logistics need to be taken into account here). The EU-Taiwan Tracker (https://lnkd.in/enqkQ-Y7) shows several #EU members, particularly #Poland and the Baltic states, exploring cooperation with Taiwanese drone companies. This development in EU-Taiwan drone cooperation warrants close attention. Our team at CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies will keep monitoring this area.

??????? Europe’s defense challenge: The case for greater self-reliance and South Korea’s role For decades, Europe has relied on Washington for its security. However, with America’s commitment wavering, the EU must take greater responsibility for its own defense. This shift has intensified discussions on European self-reliance, prompting member states to ramp up arms production. Yet, despite efforts to boost domestic defense output, European production capacity struggles to meet the surge in war-driven demand. As a result, European NATO members—once net arms exporters—have become net importers, increasing their reliance on external suppliers to fill critical gaps. ???? South Korea: A key partner in Europe’s defense transition Between 2019 and 2023, 16% of the EU and European NATO members’ arms imports came from South Korea, making it the second-largest supplier to the region. South Korean defense companies have rapidly positioned themselves as reliable partners, offering advanced military technology and fast delivery timelines. How to strengthen Europe’s defense and security? ?? Enhancing autonomy in arms research, manufacturing, and transfers is essential for long-term European security. ?? Expanding domestic production while diversifying imports through trusted partners like South Korea will strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities. ?? South Korean arms, such as the renowned K9 howitzer and K2 armored vehicles, have gained popularity among European buyers, including Poland, Romania, Finland, and Norway As Europe rethinks its defense strategy, deepening cooperation with South Korea could be a critical step toward ensuring long-term security and stability. ?? Read more in the CEIAS paper: "Value-driven Economic and Military Decision-Making: South Korea’s Arms Exports to the EU and NATO" by Seong Hyeon Choi (???), Gary Ng, Martin Sebena, and Thomas Chan

Has South Korea found its firm foothold in Central Europe? ???????? Authors David Broul and Antonín Nenutil share their insights in this article. KEY TAKEAWAYS: ?? #SouthKorea has increasingly become a significant economic and security partner for Central European countries, specifically through #nuclear and #defense contracts. ?? While South Korea has strengthened relations with #V4 countries, most of the cooperation occurs on a #bilateral basis rather than via a cohesive subregional strategy. ?? The V4 countries could serve as a strategic #gateway for South Korea’s broader engagement with the EU due to their unique combination of economic, geographic, and political advantages. Curious to learn more? ?? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eqBGa6Uc

???? ???? With a new Republican administration in the #US, shifts are expected across various sectors in #SoutheastAsia. In this piece, CEIAS Research Fellow Omar Rasya Joenoes focuses on security, exploring how #Indonesia’s coast guard should adapt under the #Trump administration. KEY TAKEAWAYS: ??? With a new Republican administration coming to power in the US, Southeast Asian countries seem to?have?low expectations from Washington and will have to prepare for?weaker?American engagement in the region. ??? Considering its stewardship of key waterways, Indonesia should expand its coast guard training beyond its current cooperation with the US by actively generating newer partnerships with other powers both inside and outside of the Indo-Pacific. ??? The US Quad partners and some EU member states can help Indonesia enhance its coast guard’s capabilities, providing an opening to closer political cooperation. Any thoughts? ?? If you want to read more, follow the link:?https://lnkd.in/enYcpU4g