Publication

This paper discusses China's relations with Central-Eastern Europe (CEE), with a particular focus on a forum China created in 2011 for meetings between Chinese and CEE leaders, known as the '16+1 formula'. The authors contend that reasons for the creation of the forum include the growing importance of the CEE countries in the EU as well as Beijing's aims to expand its economic ties with and improve its image in the EU through the initiative. They then suggest that the 16+1 formula has only achieved these goals to a limited degree and discuss the main obstacles that have hindered the performance of the forum. Finally, they highlight that despite the limited effectiveness of the forum, China has continued the initiative.