In an effort to gain influence in Eastern Europe, China started talks with 17 countries in 2012 to work more closely together. Of those 17, only 14 remain, and even the 14+1 format does not seem to have a long life.
China is trying to get more countries into its sphere of influence worldwide. With the Belt & Road initiative, it helps other countries, mainly in Africa and Asia, to complete major infrastructure projects, such as bridges, canals, seaports or highways. In this way, the country gets on good terms with the countries, and is working towards closer cooperation in other areas. In Europe, this interference is somewhat more difficult, due to the strong ties between the continent and North America.
From 16 to 17 to 14: in 2012, China convinced 16 European countries to start a speaking club together. Eleven EU member states participated: Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. In addition, five non-EU countries also joined: Albania Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. In 2019, Greece also joined. The Baltic countries left the table in 2021 and 2022, which brings the format to 14+1
The country has not actually been a full member of the format since last year. China refused to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was not well received in the Czech Republic. When Petr Pavel was elected as the new president in February this year, he also immediately called Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Taiwan. That earned him sharp reactions from China: “he has hurt the feelings of many Chinese,” said Mao Ning, The Spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Pavel is not the only one who wants to cut ties with China. Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told Politico that he does not see a future in the 14+1 format. After meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Antony Blinken, he expressed ” gratitude to the U.S. for its strategic leadership with respect to China. I have assured Minister Blinken that we will work with them within the European framework. The 14 + 1 has no added value, nor future.”
Lipavsky was also asked if the Czech Republic would formally withdraw. The Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) have already done so. “We are not an active member. We are not going to speculate on possible steps that we choose to take, ” the minister said.
Underlying: the new Czech president wants to pursue a different policy than his predecessor, Milos Zeman.
