CHINA, CENTRAL and EASTERN EUROPE, EUROPEAN UNION, CHINA'S RISE, REALIST THINKING
Journal: Ankara Avrupa Calismalari Dergisi
Year: 2023

Following the 2008–2009 global financial crisis, China began to engage in power competition in the CEE region for its economic and political interests. The EU regards the increase of Chinese influence in the CEE as a threat to its integrity and the interests of EU member states. The study argues that the basis of China-CEE cooperation is based on a realist thought that serves China's rise, aims to maximize China's economic power, and prioritizes Chinese interests. The study presents the basic mo