Central European Institute of Asian Studies
The Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS) https://ceias.eu is an independent think tank with branches in the cities of Bratislava (Slovakia), Olomouc (Czech Republic), and Vienna (Austria). Building upon the activities of the Institute of Asian Studies in Bratislava, CEIAS is a joint venture of the Institute of Asian Studies, Palacky University’s project ‘Sinophone Borderlands – Interaction at the edges’, the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy, and the Department of East Asian Studies at Comenius University.
The main purpose of CEIAS is to spread knowledge about Asia among scholars, experts and professionals in Central Europe and beyond, while at the same time to inform the wider world about Central European engagements with Asia.
To meet our aims, we conduct and publish our own research, organize public seminars and conferences, support education about relevant Asian topics, and communicate with the media. Our activities focus mainly on international relations and security studies in the geographical regions of East, Southeast, South, and Central Asia. CEIAS cooperates with similar organizations and like-minded individuals in the region and beyond to help achieve our goals. CEIAS researchers are regularly quoted and contacted by media in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and beyond on a wide range of issues, especially related to China and international relations.
Some of the notable CEIAS publications include:
- Monthly briefing about most important policy-related news from Asia (in Slovak/Czech language): https://ceias.eu/sk/asia-briefing-2
- Bi-monthly briefing about Central and Eastern Europe’s relations with Asia (in English, starting from January 2020).
- Chinese Media Watch: overview of Chinese media discourse of various policy-related issues with the connection to (Central) Europe: https://ceias.eu/chinese-media-watch-2
- CEIAS Insights: our op-ed section covering broad range of topics: https://ceias.eu/sk/ias-insights
- Research papers: Some recent ones discussed issues related to (Central) Europe’s relations with China and East Asia, domestic issues in China, or other aspects of Chinese international relations including soft power or Belt and Road Initiative: https://ceias.eu/policy-papers-2
CEIAS participates in international projects and initiatives. Most recently these have included:
- ChinfluenCE: Research and public awareness project mapping Chinese influence in Central Europe: www.chinfluence.eu
- CHOICE: An initiative grouping researchers and ‘China watchers’ from Central and Eastern Europe: www.chinaobservers.eu
- ETNC: European Think Tank Network on China as of 2019 and participates in all the activities of the network, including workshops, publications, and presentations of the findings to the public.
