Sylabus
Lecture 1: IntroductionCourse Outline & Requirements Contemporary China and why we should study itDebate on China’s role and influence in EuropeShort quiz on China and CEE Lecture 2: Modern Chinese History: A Crash Course Chinese Empire and its key concepts Creation of the Republic of China Civil War China in the Second World War The Establishment of People’s Republic of China and early years ‘ Great Leap Forward
Lecture 3: China under and after Mao
Cultural Revolution End of Mao’s Era Deng Xiaoping and Socialism with Chinese Characteristics The Reform Era and the changes within the system Human rights movement in China Tian-an-men Massacre and Survival of the Regime
Lecture 4: From Deng Xiaoping to Xi JinpingGrowing power in the 1990s and 2000s Second term of Hu Jintao and Wen Jiapao and their reforms and foreign policy initiatives Xi Jinping Coming to Power - domestic development and the international stage Basics of the Chinese domestic political system Development of China’s foreign principles under Mao, Deng and Xi
Lecture 5: China’s Foreign PolicyCurrent foreign policy objectives and tools The functioning of the foreign policy system United Front Theory Belt and Road Initiative
Lecture 6: Europe and China EU-China relations and strategic dialogue Economic independence and interdependence Systemic rivalry and Comprehensive Investment Agreement Creation and development of 16/17+1 Framework China’s economic and political presence in CEE Region
Lecture 7: Germany and China Current state of relations – Germany under Olaf Scholz Crucial Trading Partners and Strategic Partnership Reunification and building bridges Development aid and human rights Gerhard Schröder and Change Through Trade Angela Merkel and Germany as the most important partner of China in the EU German praise and criticism of China and the impact on EU policies – Comprehensive agreement on Investment, investment screening mechanism, 5G debate etc. Economic Relations analysis: investments, exports, imports and other forms of cooperation
Lecture 8: Hungary and China Viktor Orban and political relations: concept of illiberal democracy, domestic and international politics Traditional Chinese partner in V4 Echoes from the past - Relations with China in 50s and 60s New start of intensive relations - 2000s Economic Relations analysis: investments, exports, imports and other forms of cooperation Case study: BRI - Budapest-Belgrade Railway Lecture 9: Poland and China Poland between Washington, Brussels, and Beijing. Promises, scepticism and comeback. Echoes from the past - Polish economic transformation and lessons for China Poland as the frontrunner in relations with China yet many obstacles hindering the overall development Economic Relations analysis: investments, exports, imports and other forms of cooperation Case studies: Chinese companies and highways in Poland, 5G development
Lecture 9: Slovakia and China Lack of interest and its results Echoes from the past - Chinese perception of Czechoslovakian dissolutionPolitical continuity and its impact on economic relations China’s economic and political presence in CEE RegionCase study: What is the impact of the lack of interest?
Lecture 10: The Czech Republic and China Dramatic development of relations: actors, values, interests and motivations. Echoes from the past - Czechoslovakia and recognition of PRC and its economic support, Prague Spring. Václav Havel and relations with China, specific relations with Taiwan Shift towards “pragmatism” Changes of economic and political relations Economic Relations analysis: investments, exports, imports and other forms of cooperation Case study: Human rights and China Case study: Connection between political and economic relations
Lecture 11: Slovakia and China Lack of interest and its results Echoes from the past - Chinese perception of Czechoslovakian dissolution Political continuity and its impact on economic relations China’s economic and political presence in CEE Region Case study: What is the impact of the lack of interest?
Lecture 12: Conclusion and comparative analysis of V4 region Strength and weaknesses of V4 countries and their economic and political relations with China Role of Germany in the region vis-à-vis China Political influence, economic challenges and/or benefits, technological debate
Anotace
The aim of the course is to present the development of relations of Central European countries with China, with special emphasis on their economic and political aspects. With exception of increasing level of imports, up until the 2010s, the People’s Republic of China kept a relatively low-profile in the region.
Similarly, with the exception of Germany, Central European countries had only a limited presence in China. This changed rapidly in early 2010s when PRC started to be proactive internationally and its presence in the region increased visibly (in terms of diplomatic relations, political and economic activities, influence, as well as the growing interest of companies in penetrating respective markets and politicians in China as such).
The course tracks this development since the establishment of PRC in 1949 with a particular interest in the contemporary era. It analyses the development, aspires to give interpretations of the motivations of main actors and introduces the most important features of Central Europe – China Relations.
It also asks students to critically assess the level and depth of those relations. Last but not least, the course uses the comparative perspective to show what CEE countries have in common in their relations with China and where they differentiate.