Authors

Discussion

Since 2022, the bloodshed in Ukraine has marked a significant milestone in both European history and the relationship between China and Europe. Over the past decade, China has invested substantial resources in developing its cooperation framework with Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. It is evident that Sino-CEE cooperation must confront challenges stemming from the events in Ukraine and is experiencing difficulties. This article aims to use the concept of "secondary relations" within Sino-European relations to explain the transition in Sino-CEE cooperation. It argues that the relationship between China and Europe is subject to greater external influences, particularly those from the United States. The article argues that post-2022 Sino-CEE relations are shifting from an EU-centric focus to a US-centric one, and this shift introduces uncertainties into Sino-CEE cooperation.