Gogi Kamushadze
17+1 = problems; Huawei’s woes; Western Balkan wobbles
Hello, and welcome to China Influence Monitor, a weekly newsletter published by CEPA and Coda Story and edited by me, Edward Lucas. We track the westward footprint of China’s influence operations, and point you towards this week's best (and worst) coverage.
In this issue: CEE countries wrestle with a Chinese invitation; fine words from an ex-Huawei boss in Denmark, but strange goings on in Sweden and Switzerland;
A big test of Chinese influence in Europe is looming on February 9.
Since 2013 China has used the loose 17+1 framework to lobby ex-communist countries (since 2019 also including Greece) over infrastructure and other issues. Last year’s summit should have happened in Beijing but was postponed.