Beijing's quiet diplomacy: How China courts the Visegrád countries
Vienna, June 7, 2026 - China's foreign policy is not only conducted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing. The Communist Party (CCP) has its own bodies that maintain diplomatic relations and have significantly increased in importance under Chairman Xi Jinping. The Visegrád Group countries – Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia – have become an important testing ground in this regard.
Party diplomacy as a second channel
The International Liaison Department of the CCP (ILD) operates in parallel with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and maintains contacts with political parties worldwide. In recent years, this department has systematically built relationships in the Visegrád countries. Close ties exist, in particular, with ruling parties such as Hungary's Fidesz. Party diplomacy allows Beijing to maintain contacts even when official government relations are strained. This dual approach provides China with room to maneuver that Western democracies do not utilize in this form.
Visegrád as a Gateway to the EU
The four Central European states hold strategic importance for Beijing. They are EU members but often skeptical of Brussels's direction. Hungary has repeatedly blocked common EU positions on China. Slovakia and the Czech Republic waver between transatlantic ties and economic interests with Beijing. Poland behaves more ambivalently but remains open to Chinese investments. China can exploit these differences within the EU through bilateral party contacts. The Belt and Road Initiative has spurred several infrastructure projects in the region, including the Budapest-Belgrade railway connection.
What does that mean for Austria?
As a direct neighbor of the Visegrad states, Austria is directly affected by these developments. Chinese investments in Hungary or Slovakia influence regional supply chains. If Beijing can influence EU decisions through party channels, that also affects Vienna. Austrian companies active in the region must factor in this geopolitical dynamic. At the same time, opportunities arise: growing trade between China and Central Europe creates business opportunities for Austrian logistics and technology firms.
The Two Sides of Power
China's party diplomacy demonstrates how Beijing has expanded its foreign policy toolkit. This is not illegitimate per se. Many states maintain contacts through various channels. The question is what goals are being pursued with them. Critics warn of influence on democratic processes and the targeted division of the EU. Supporters see pragmatic cooperation and economic benefits. The Visegrad states must decide for themselves how much closeness to Beijing they want. For the EU as a whole, more transparency about such party contacts would be beneficial. Only those who know who is talking to whom can make informed decisions.
Source: chinaobservers | Original Article
