Are you at a very Chinese time in your life ? In this episode Host Emma Belmonte welcomes two guests Zeyi Yang and Jessica Imbach to explore the Chinamaxxing trend, its origins, societal reactions, and implications for cultural perception and soft power.

Read all of CHOICE's articles on our ⁠website

Paulína Ovečková's article about chinamaxxing here

#ChinaMaxxing #China #Beijing #Socialmedia #CulturalExchange #TikTokTrends #ChinaCulture #GlobalConversation #Chinesebaddy #Beingchinese

What form do China’s information manipulation and influence activities take in Europe ? What narratives do they push ? How do they reach European audiences ? What is there to learn from the specific case of Poland and the Czech Republic ? Host Emma Belmonte talks with Alicja Bachulska (ECFR) and Konrad Szatters (AMO) about their recent policy brief “Borrowed mouths and laundered messages: China’s influence playbook in Europe”.

Read all of CHOICE's articles on our ⁠website⁠

#China #foreigninfluence #Europe #EU #FIMI #disinformation #policy

What does this year hold for China-EU relations? In this episode of China Observers, host Emma Belmonte speaks with Etienne Soula about the evolving dynamics between the European Union and China in 2026. They discuss the impact of recent US developments on European perceptions of China, the significance of bilateral visits by European leaders, and the challenges posed by Germany's economic relationship with China. The conversation also covers the EU's new economic security agenda, trade disputes, cybersecurity threats, and concerns regarding Chinese ownership of critical infrastructure. Additionally, they touch on the diminishing focus on human rights issues in EU-China relations and conclude with reflections on the uncertain future of these interactions.

#China #EU #economic #security # economy #trade #tariffs #cybersecurity #critical #infrastructure #humanrights #IAA #IndustrialAcceleratorAct #EuropeanUnion #geopolitics #US #2026

What are the implications of China's presence in the Western Balkans when it comes to EU enlargement ? The conversation delves into China's strategic investments, the varying degrees of engagement with different countries in the region, and the backlash against certain projects. Vladimir Shopov (ECFR) discusses with host Emma Belmonte the evolving nature of China's approach, the EU's response to Chinese influence, and the implications for EU accession processes.

Read Vladimir Shopov's policy brief here:

Eyes wide shut: How to read China’s playbook in the Western Balkans

To read more on this, here are some of CHOICE's articles on the topic:

• The Environmental Impact of Chinese Projects in the Western Balkans

• “Win Some, Lose Some”: China’s Involvement in the Extractive and Raw Materials Industries in the Western Balkans

• China’s Aid in the Western Balkans: Supporting Development, Undermining Good Governance

#China #WesternBalkans #EU #EUaccession #BRI #BeltandRoadInitiative #Chineseinvestments #infrastructure, #politics #europeanpolitics #europe #china-europe #China-EU #civilsociety #accession #enlargement #geopolitics

What do you know about the climate crisis in Tibet ? And what about the effect of Chinese policies and development projects on the Tibetan environment ? Dr. Lobsang Yangtso discusses the impact of hydropower dams, the concept of green colonialism, and the resilience of Tibetan nomads in protecting their land and culture. The dialogue highlights the importance of Tibet's natural resources to China and the often overlooked environmental costs associated with these developments.

Hosted and Produces by Emma Belmonte.

#Tibet #COP30 #climate #environment #dams #earthquakes #indigenousrights #hydropower #China #greenpolicies #Tibetannomads #colonialism

In an era where narratives shape perceptions, China is redefining how it tells its story on the international stage. In this episode, we explore the intricate strategies China employs to reshape its global image, moving from traditional propaganda to more engaging content tailored to local audiences.

Guests: Dr. David O'Brien and Joanna Nawrotkiewicz,

#China #Beijing #ChinaCommunication #Geopolitics #GlobalNarratives #Media #SoftPower #Influencers #CGTN, #Diplomacy #International Relations.

Europeans have misunderstood the Sino-Russian friendship and its implications. But how can we change course ? This episode delve into the complex relationship between China and Russia, particularly in the context of the Ukraine war and European perceptions. In discussion with host Emma Belmonte, China-experts Ivana Karaskova (CHOICE) and Alicja Bachulska (ECFR) discuss how Central and Eastern European countries have a different understanding of this relationship compared to Western Europe, emphasising the mentality of fear that drives Chinese leadership.

#China #Russia #Ukraine #EuropeanUnion #EU #geopolitics #foreign relations #security #diplomacy #authoritarianism, #internationalrelations

In this thought-provoking episode, we examine the geopolitical ripple effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine across the Indo-Pacific region, with special focus on China's diplomatic positioning and evolving Asian responses. Our expert guest unpacks the strategic realignment between Ukraine and South Korea as they navigate the challenges posed by deepening Russia-North Korea military cooperation. The conversation offers fresh insights into the emerging power dynamics reshaping security architecture across continents, revealing how new alliances between authoritarian states are transforming international relations in both Europe and Asia.

This month's guest: Nataliya Butyrska is an independent expert on East Asia. She is an author of more than 100 analytical articles and reports on the issues of international relations with a special focus on the Indo-Pacific region and Ukraine's relations with Asian countries. She is also one of the co-chairs for our Women Insight on China Initiative.

Links:

https://zn.ua/eng/why-south-korea-is-still-afraid-to-provide-weapons-to-ukraine.html

https://chinaobservers.eu/china-probes-the-ground-for-negotiations-in-the-russian-ukrainian-war/

https://chinaobservers.eu/ukraines-futile-struggle-to-win-chinas-support-over-the-russian-aggression/

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-02-24/national/diplomacy/North-KoreaRussia-cooperation-escalates-global-threats-says-Ukrainian-ambassador-to-Seoul/2248927

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3809763-ukraine-should-explore-closer-ties-with-south-korea-in-face-of-russiadprk-cooperation-expert.html