ABSTRACT

This chapter talks about V4 group of new European Union (EU) members – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – which have sought to gain greater influence within the EU, presenting new challenges to Europe and its self-understanding as a community of values. The Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC)-China "truce" on norms and values is based on a dual "pragmatism". First, both sides tend to downplay their historical differences on human rights and diverging political pathways taken since the end of the Cold War. Second, they justify their silences with reference to upholding relationship values of equality and mutual respect. The chapter begins by examining the normative context and content of a "pragmatic" engagement of the 16 with China. It shows how China's investments in the CEECs could cause a weakening of EU coherence in its human rights diplomacy toward China and its broader goal of promoting multilateral institutions including in Asia.