The tycoon and the president: how China influences Eastern Europe
Ivana Karásková
/ Ed. 4. 7. 2018
The Sydney Morning Herald citoval Ivanu Karáskovou.
Ironically, Ye’s detention may show how irrelevant Zeman is for Chinese interests in the Czech Republic. Despite his apparent close relationship with Ye and China, Zeman wasn’t warned in advance about Ye’s impending arrest. Instead, he was forced to summon the Chinese ambassador for an explanation, which, according to China monitor Ivana Karásková, was not forthcoming.
“It shows how insignificant Zeman actually is for China,” says Ivana Karásková, coordinator of the Prague-based ChinfluenCE project, which researches China’s influence in central and eastern Europe.
