China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe

China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE) is a multinational consortium of experts that provides informed analysis on the rising influence of the People's Republic of China within the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). It operates as a platform for discussion, information sharing, best practices and collaboration among its members, who monitor and evaluate Chinese activity across the region. CHOICE is run by the Association for International Affairs (AMO), a prominent Prague-based foreign policy think tank and NGO, and its team and fellows are drawn from institutions across CEE and beyond. The organisation's analytical focus is on China's regional engagement instruments, notably the 16+1 initiative (later reframed as China-CEEC cooperation) and the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as other China-led initiatives targeting CEE countries. CHOICE describes itself as the premier organisation for China watchers in CEE to share insight, gather information and build a holistic understanding of China's activities in the region. Its output includes articles, newsletters, podcasts, cartoons and policy audits, with contributors ranging from resident analysts to regional fellows covering the Baltic, Visegrád and Balkan areas. CHOICE's public-facing work is published on its website, chinaobservers.eu, and includes commentary on topics such as EU-China trade tensions, green exports, Taiwan-related developments, sanctions, and the evolution of EU and NATO discourse on China. Its flagship analytical product is the Central and Eastern European China Policy Audit, which tracks how regional governments balance de-risking with re-engagement. The consortium is headquartered in Prague and its leadership and core staff are affiliated with AMO in Czechia.

China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE) was established as a multinational consortium of experts focused on the rising influence of the People's Republic of China within the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It is run by the Association for International Affairs (AMO), a prominent Prague-based foreign policy think tank and NGO, which provides the institutional home for CHOICE's leadership and core staff. Ivana Karásková, a China Research Fellow at AMO in Czechia, is identified as the Founder and Leader of CHOICE and serves as the contact person for partnerships. From its base in Prague, CHOICE built a network of analysts and regional fellows covering the Baltic, Visegrád and Balkan areas, drawing on institutions such as Vilnius University in Lithuania, Corvinus University of Budapest in Hungary, and the Foundation BFPE in the Balkans. This structure allows the consortium to monitor and evaluate Chinese activity across CEE countries and to compare national approaches. CHOICE's analytical agenda centres on China's regional engagement instruments, including the 16+1 initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as other China-led initiatives targeting CEE countries. The consortium provides a platform for discussion, information sharing, best practices and collaboration among its members, and describes itself as the premier organisation for China watchers in CEE to share insight, gather information and build a holistic understanding of China's activities in the region. Over time CHOICE has expanded its public output to include articles, newsletters, podcasts and cartoons, published on its website chinaobservers.eu. Its flagship analytical product, the Central and Eastern European China Policy Audit, tracks how regional governments balance de-risking with re-engagement. Contributors have addressed topics such as EU-China trade tensions, green exports, Taiwan-related developments, sanctions, and the evolution of EU and NATO discourse on China.

• CHOICE is founded and led by Ivana Karásková under the Association for International Affairs (AMO) in Prague.

• CHOICE establishes regional fellowships covering the Baltic, Visegrád and Balkan areas.

• Publication of the Central and Eastern European China Policy Audit 2025–2026: Between De-Risking and Re-Engagement.

• CHOICE expands its public output to include newsletters, podcasts and cartoons.

The premier organisation for China watchers in Central and Eastern Europe, offering grounded, critical analysis of China's regional influence.

• Central and Eastern European China Policy Audit

• CHOICE Newsletter

• Voice for CHOICE Podcasts

• CHOICE Cartoons

1. 1chinaobservers – China Observers in Central and Eastern Europechinaobservers.eu
2. 2About CHOICE – chinaobserverschinaobservers.eu
3. 3China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe – Wikidatawikidata.org