Czech MapInfluenCE analyst Filip Šebok commented for Malaysian outlet The Star on the sharply contrasting views in domestic Czech politics that make it so difficult to classify for external China watchers.

Pertinently, Šebok highlighted the two main streams of thought, in those that seek pragmatic pro-China diversification of investment and those seek to uphold a Havelian values-based foreign policy, with Miloš Zeman and Miloš Vystrčil serving as prime figures in each camp.

“When it became clear that investments were not coming, it became difficult to further substantiate maintaining a partnership with China…There has long been a struggle between the pragmatic and value-based orientations in Czech foreign policy.”

Filip Šebok

For the full profile on the Czech position, click here.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons