Read on Twitter
What #Czechia 
and the #US 
have in common is the prominence of the #China issue 
in domestic politics. #thread
and the #US have in common is the prominence of the #China issue in domestic politics. #thread
China featured high on both Czech presidential debates in 2013 and 2018. Moreover all political parties have expressed in one way or another their position on China. 1/7
This trend will only increase as in October Czechs will vote in Senate, municipality & regional elections, next year in parliamentary elections and at the beginning of 2023 in presidential elections. 2/7
In reality, Czechia has a plethora of China policies - one conducted by president Zeman and through him by his advisors and China intermediaries, other conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by minor coalition partner with occasional intrusion of PM Babiš. 3/7
The struggle and weak position of MFA created a void which was quickly filled by yet another players like Prague Mayor Hřib or Senate President Vystrčil. 4/7
Add the international context of Sino-US rivalry and China policies (plural intended) of EU member states, you got an interesting combo where anything could happen. 5/7
Especially in CEE where China’s carrots no longer work and impacts of China’s sticks are limited. https://mapinfluence.eu/en/chinas-sticks-and-carrots-in-central-europe-the-logic-and-power-of-chinese-influence/ 6/7
This means that Vystrcil’s visit is not only a part of the domestic political game, but it could have a profound international impact as other countries can follow. https://lexmann.eu/political-leaders-express-solidarity-with-czech-senate-president-milos-vystrcil-in-connection-to-his-official-visit-to-taiwan/?fbclid=IwAR3kL53UiDzq5TSUtK3z8kMHMLq71F91ehk5Z72-UYBJCZMtxlDDE0-J8Wc 7/7 (end of thread)
