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

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 Jinping
Growing 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 Policy
Current 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 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 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