iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

It's been a pleasure to join @connectedtwplus.bsky.social to chat about #EU and its #criticalmineral conundrums caused by #China and its export control regime.

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Thompson Chau @thomchau.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Estonia and Taiwan are stuck in a stalemate over plans to open a Taiwanese office in Tallinn, illustrating difficulties in Taipei-Europe ties even as both feel pressure from China & Russia. w/ comments from @matejsimalcik.bsky.social and @williamyang120.bsky.social asia.nikkei.com/politics/int...

asia.nikkei.com

Taiwan's plan to set up mission in Estonia hits wall over name

China's past retaliation against Lithuania for engaging with Taipei haunts Europe

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

On stalled of 🇹🇼 office in 🇪🇪: "While Lithuania recovered from Beijing's pressure, this episode also served as a deterrent for other European countries. It's crucial for #Taiwan to open a mission in #Estonia and demonstrate institutional momentum, regardless of the office's name."

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

🇰🇷 @matejsimalcik.bsky.social & Adam Kalivoda visited @hi_kosti to exchange views on key challenges: 📌 Preventing proliferation of dual-use & sensitive technologies 📌 How to improve export control compliance in the R&I sector 📌 Embedding export control into a broader research security framework

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Eager to keep updated on geo-economics & economic security? Make sure you subscribe to my #substack. chasingcorrosivecapital.substack.com

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visegradinsight.bsky.social @visegradinsight.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

🇨🇿🇨🇳 Pavel’s private meeting with the Dalai Lama has resonated positively at home. This reflects a broader trend of skepticism toward China, writes @matejsimalcik.bsky.social. Click the link in comment for more from @ceias-eu.bsky.social.

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

How did #Beijing become a privileged partner of 🇬🇷 universities? 🗞️ Read the new interview with @matejsimalcik.bsky.social and our project partner Konstantinos Tsimonis in ΤΟ ΒΗΜΑ. They explain how China 🇨🇳 promotes its narrative through academic programs & institutes 🎓 and why this raises concerns.

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

@matejsimalcik.bsky.social is currently attending the NATO Public Forum in The Hague –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ a conference held alongside the #NATOSummit. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte opened the forum w/ a strong call to enhance the Alliance’s defense capabilities & resilience in light of threats from 🇷🇺 & 🇨🇳.

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

@matejsimalcik.bsky.social spoke at the conference Europe & the Indo-Pacific in a Changing Global Landscape hosted by National Chengchi University. He presented some preliminary thoughts from his ongoing research on potential 🇪🇺–🇹🇼 cooperation on #EconomicSecurity. 🛡️ Here are some key takeaways 👇

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

🚘 Martin Šebeňa, Filip Šebok, and @matejsimalcik.bsky.social presented today key findings from CEIAS research on #EV and #battery investments from #China, #Japan, and #SouthKorea at the EP. 🇪🇺 🙏 Thanks to MEP Miriam Lexmann & Jan Farský for hosting us, & Žiga Faktor for organizing the event. (1)

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

📊 NEW DATA RELEASE: China-Europe Academic Engagement Tracker We've expanded our #tracker – a tool offering data-driven analysis on research security & academic cooperation with 🇨🇳 – to include #8 more 🇪🇺 countries! 🇫🇷🇮🇹🇬🇷🇸🇮🇨🇾🇱🇺🇦🇲🇦🇿 🔗 Visit our tracker to explore the data! academytracker.ceias.eu/map/eu

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Our new public opinion #survey in Central European countries shows very interesting insigths about various aspects of perception of #China, #Russia, #USA, #EU & #NATO. 🇨🇿🇭🇺🇵🇱🇸🇰 ✏️ Co-authored with Filip Šebok. 🔗 ceias.eu/central-euro...

ceias.eu

Navigating uncertainty: Central European public opinion on geopolitics in 2025 - CEIAS

Shifting geopolitics in 2025 shape Central European public opinion amid US policy changes, Russia’s war, and rising China-EU tensions.

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

NEW REPORT ALERT 🚨 Our new situation #report 📊 maps social media 💬📱 #discourse about China within the V4 states. This project is in cooperation with @MatejBelUni supported by @EMIF_Fund managed by @FCGulbenkian 🔗: ceias.eu/situation-re... See the key takeaways 👇 (1/5)

ceias.eu

Situation report: Contested narratives about China on V4 social media - CEIAS

This situation report maps discourse about Chinese EVs on social media in the V4 states.

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Very excited for @ceias-eu.bsky.social to be part of this timely initiative.

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

🇪🇺🇰🇷 Our Executive Director, @matejsimalcik.bsky.social talked about how #EU & #SouthKorea can cooperate in #cybersecurity 🛡️ and countering #disinformation 📱 at yesterday's meeting of European Parliament Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula.

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

The new CEEasia Briefing is out! In this issue, we dissect the following topics: 1️⃣ Wang Yi meets Czech Foreign Minister 🇨🇳🇨🇿 2️⃣ Czechia and South Korea hold a supply chain & energy dialogue in Seoul 🇨🇿🇰🇷 3️⃣ Vietnam-Hungary relations 🇻🇳🇭🇺 🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/ceeasi...

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

How should democracies respond to #HybridThreats? This key issue was discussed in a panel by @europeanvalues.bsky.social. Experts shared insights on tackling hybrid threats in 🇹🇼 & CE at this critical point in time. 🗣️ Adriana Cerna, @matejsimalcik.bsky.social , Chyungly Lee 🎤 @jamesbaron.bsky.social

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Dealing with Trump and US retreat from Europe needs more than panicked calls for deeper EU-China cooperation. My latest for @visegradinsight.bsky.social

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

What's next for #CEE – #Taiwan and CEE – #China relations? Together with @zsuzsettte.bsky.social we talked about possible trajectories of development - read more on @9dashline.com.

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9DASHLINE @9dashline.com · 10/02/2025

The evolving relationship between Taiwan and Central and Eastern Europe is the focus of a new discussion between @zsuzsettte.bsky.social and @matejsimalcik.bsky.social, Taiwan Fellowship recipient at INDSR Taipei. Here they explore the strategic and geopolitical implications. buff.ly/4hpx9AG

buff.ly

9DASHLINE — In Dialogue: Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy and Matej Šimalčík on Taiwan

Central and Eastern Europe’s (CEE) relationship with Taiwan is evolving amid shifting global dynamics. Dr Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy speaks with Matej Šimalčík, a Taiwan Fellowship recipient currently based...

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

It was a pleasure to join the good Visegrad friends here in Taipei – @yehaoqin.bsky.social, @zsuzsettte.bsky.social & @nasredinhoja.bsky.social – and represent @ceias-eu.bsky.social for a discussion on the #Taiwan - #EU and Taiwan - #CEE, relations hosted by the @europeanvalues.bsky.social.

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

As always, a great conversation with @zsuzsettte.bsky.social on the trajectory of #EU - #Taiwan relations.

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Reposted by Matej Šimalčík

CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

“China always has this anxiety that the US & EU would work together to deal w/ China, so the upcoming regime change in 🇺🇸 presents an opportunity for 🇨🇳 to exploit the anxiety that 🇪🇺 states have about the 2nd Trump adm.,” @matejsimalcik.bsky.social told VOA News. www.voanews.com/a/china-reac...

voanews.com

China reaches out to US allies ahead of Trump’s inauguration

Analysts say Beijing is trying to test Washington’s alliance with Japan and the EU ahead of Trump’s return to the White House

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

I am excited to start my visiting fellowship with the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) in Taipei, where I will be analyzing #Taiwan's economic & research #security policies and what can we in the #EU learn from them.

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

🔹 𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗺𝗮 Relations w/ Vietnam pose a dilemma for principled FP. Vietnam is a key partner in countering China & EU’s de-risking policy. However, Fico’s approach prioritizes personal interests, thus serving neither of the two key considerations. /10 (end)

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

🔹 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗸–𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Efforts 2 mend relations began during PM Heger’s tenure. DG-level political consultations held in 12/2022 in Hanoi. Upgrade to full ambassador expected upon next rotation. /9

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

The effort was blocked by then-President Andrej Kiska, who highlighted Fico’s unusual personal interest in the matter. Quang was also said to be a key personality in orchestrating To Lam’s visit which provided cover for the kidnapping. He is supposedly hiding in Nigeria. /8

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

🔹 𝗙𝗶𝗰𝗼’𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺 Despite the freeze in relations during his tenure, Fico has maintained close personal ties to Vietnam. Notably, he attempted to nominate his close advisor Quang Le Hong as Slovakia’s ambassador to Vietnam. /7

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

The affair led to Slovakia recalling its ambassador to Vietnam and downgrading representation in Hanoi to a chargé d’affaires. While relations have shown signs of thawing, Fico’s private visit to Vietnam prior to formal normalization is highly irregular. /6

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

The incident involved allegations that Slovakia’s government plane was used to transport the kidnapped asylum seeker during a visit by Vietnamese delegation, headed by To Lam (then Minister of Public Security, now President) to Slovakia. /5

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

🔹 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺 Bilateral relations between Slovakia and Vietnam have been frozen since 2018, following the kidnapping of Trinh Xuan Thanh. /4

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Trips to Moscow & Beijing (“the most important foreign trip of the year”) took precedence. Fico also advocated for stronger ties w/ Vietnam; official visit is planned for H1/2025. This suggests that “all-azimuth foreign policy” is just a euphemism for cozying up to autocrats. /3

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

🔹 𝗔𝗻 "𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗔𝘇𝗶𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗵" 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 Since his 2023 re-election, Fico has championed an “all-azimuth foreign policy.” In practice, his attention seems disproportionately directed eastward. /2

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗢’𝗦 𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗜 🇻🇳 Slovak PM Robert #Fico surfaced in Hanoi after weeks of public absence. Though the trip to Hanoi is private, we can't ignore its implications for #Slovakia - #Vietnam relations given their troubled history. 🧵/1

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

Check out our new report about the discourse on #China #EVs and the EU countervailing #tariffs found in the #V4 social media space.

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

5️⃣ Democracy can survive only if it actively fights back against those who would undermine it. This is “defensive democracy” in action.

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

4️⃣ While the written verdict is not yet available, I am looking forward to reading it, as this case can be instructive not just elsewhere in Europe, but also globally in how to approach FIMI in the judicial review of elections.

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

3️⃣ The findings of Romanian intelligence and courts will put increased pressure on #TikTok in Europe as it already faces #DSA investigations.

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

2️⃣ Russian actors are relying on Chinese social media infrastructure in delivering their attacks, raising questions about China-Russia FIMI collusion.

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

1️⃣ Foreign #interference in elections is actually capable of fundamentally impacting their results.

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

The #SocialMedia and #FIMI aspects of the Romanian case are particularly noteworthy and highlight five important points:

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

I have learned from those cases that voiding election results is a notoriously difficult endeavor as courts tend to exercise a lot of judicial restraint in electoral cases, preferring stability and interfering only in cases of the most serious election irregularities.

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Matej Šimalčík @matejsimalcik.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

In the past, I had the opportunity to work on several electoral litigation cases in my own country Slovakia, looking at the cases on national and local levels, as well as from both plaintiff and defendant perspectives.

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CEIAS: Central European Institute of Asian Studies @ceias-eu.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

🇨🇳 China expands its visa-free policy to 5️⃣ more EU countries, bringing the total to 2️⃣4️⃣ EU countries with visa-free access. ✅ 30 days visa-free for business, tourism, family visits & more. Aims to boost tourism & economy. 🔎 Which EU countries are in & which ones are still excluded? Take a look!

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