Central Europe and China: Economic and Political Relations - JMB088

• Anglický název: Central Europe and China: Economic and Political Relations
• Český název: Střední Evropa a Čína: ekonomické a politické vztahy
• Zajišťuje: Katedra ruských a východoevropských studií (23-KRVS)
• Fakulta: Fakulta sociálních věd
• Platnost: od 2016 do 2017
• Semestr: letní
• E-Kredity: 6
• Způsob provedení zkoušky: letní s.:
• Rozsah, examinace: letní s.:1/1, Zk [HT]
• Počet míst: neomezen / neomezen (15)
• Minimální obsazenost: 5
• 4EU+: ne
• Virtuální mobilita / počet míst pro virtuální mobilitu: ne
• Stav předmětu: vyučován
• Jazyk výuky: čeština
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Způsob výuky: prezenční
• Poznámka: předmět je možno zapsat mimo plán; povolen pro zápis po webu
• Garant: Václav Kopecký
• Vyučující: Václav Kopecký

Anotace

Poslední úprava: Václav Kopecký (01.02.2021)

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.

Cíl předmětu

Poslední úprava: Václav Kopecký (01.02.2021)

* Understanding historical development of relations of Central European countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Germany) with PRC

* Being able to compare the current state of relations of CEE countries with China

* Getting a basic overview of China’s foreign policy activities and domestic developments which are affecting it

* Being able to understand the role of the Central European region for China and vice versa

Požadavky ke zkoušce

Poslední úprava: Václav Kopecký (01.02.2021)

* Course taught in English

* No prior knowledge of China is required

* Student’s presentation during the semester

* Active participation over the course

* Final essay

The composition of the mark: 

Presence and activity in the course: 20%

Presentation: 30%

Final paper: 50% 

Grading scale: (A) excellent 100-90%, (B) very good 89-80%, (C) good 79-70%, (D) fair 69-60, (E) satisfactory 59-50, (F) unsatisfactory < 50

Sylabus

Poslední úprava: Václav Kopecký (12.02.2021)

Lecture 1: Introduction
Course Outline & Requirements 
Contemporary China and why we should study it
Debate on China’s role and influence in Europe
Short 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
Cultural Revolution
End of Mao’s Era

Lecture 3: China after Mao
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
Growing power in the 1990s and 2000s
Second term of Hu Jintao and Wen Jiapao and their reforms and foreign policy initiatives

Lecture 4: China’s Foreign Policy, EU and Central Europe
Xi Jinping Coming to Power - domestic development and the international stage
Development of China’s foreign principles under Mao, Deng and Xi
Current foreign policy objectives and tools
United Front Theory
Belt and Road Initiative

Lecture 5: Europe and China  
EU-China relations and strategic dialogue
Economic independence and interdependence
Systemic rivalry and Comprehensive Investment Agreement
Creation and development of 17+1 Framework
China’s economic and political presence in CEE Region

Lecture 6: Germany and China
Current state of relations – Germany on the crossroad  
German praise and criticism of China and the impact on EU policies – Comprehensive agreement on Investment, investment screening mechanism, 5G debate etc. 
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 
Post-Merkel era?
Economic Relations analysis: investments, exports, imports and other forms of cooperation

Lecture 7: 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 8: Poland and China
Poland between Washington, Brussels, and Beijing. Promises and growing scepticism. 
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: 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 10: 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 11: 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  

Lecture 12: Conclusion 
Summary of key issues 
Discussion on the future of China in V4 + Germany region