The Chairperson of the Civic IDEA- Tinatin Khidasheli, participated in a conference organized by the International Institute for Peace (IIP) – “Thirty years on: Is There still a Post-Soviet Space?”. The report of the conference has been published, which also includes the article by Tinatin Khidasheli:
“From the Georgian perspective, it is important to distinguish between political Europe and geographic Europe. Georgia very much sees itself as belonging to the former, though it is geographically in the Caucasus. Georgia has felt invisible to the West since the 2008 War with Russia, wherein Georgia received little support from NATO or the EU. Georgia is a place where Russia is contesting the West for influence, and Russia is trying to show that Georgia belongs to its neighborhood. For Georgians, it appears that the EU and NATO have constructed a new Iron Curtain, the countries beyond which they do not see as their concern. Furthermore, Russian sanctions were a blessing in disguise for Georgia, as the country was able to strongly diversify its economy and exports when Russia closed its market to Georgia.”
On December 16, 2021, at the Hilton Garden Hotel in Tbilisi, Civic IDEA, together with GRASS and MDF, participated in a closing event for the media literacy project hosted by the non-profit organization ‘People in Need’, and supported by the Czech Government and USAID / GEORGIA.
Opening remarks were made by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Georgia, Peter Mikiska, USAID / GEORGIA Mission Director Peter Wiebler, and People in Need Georgia CEO, Dion Battersby. The representatives of the Georgian NGOs discussed the Chinese and Russian malign influence as a threat to democracy in Georgia, the scale of disinformation, foreign fake news, and propaganda campaigns during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is a great honor for us to share with you the first part of the publication initiated by “Civic IDEA” and prepared together with partners, which will tell you the story of the growing influence of foreign countries in the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The second part of this edition is planned for 2022.
This publication is a collection of 8 analytical articles, which mainly introduce the dynamics of various projects, loans, and debts initiated by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the South Caucasian and Central Asian countries, the growth and expansion of the role of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), as well as the existing threats and most notable events. While much is being written today about the operations of the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party by various research institutes and organizations worldwide, very little is said about region of our interest and even less about the dynamics and patterns that are unequivocally evident in these states.
“Civic IDEA” has been studying Chinese influence operations in our region for more than three years now. We are interested in the policies of the Chinese state, its universities, and other educational centers, companies, and financial institutions, etc. Accordingly, in our previous publications, you will find materials about the activities of the Confucius Institutes, student and scientific exchange programs, the so-called “debt trap” practices, and security risks for different countries, etc.
In this publication, you will get more detailed information and knowledge about seven countries: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Unfortunately, despite our numerous attempts, we could not find a suitable partner in Turkmenistan who would agree to participate in the joint study.
The work about Georgia was written by Ani Kintsurashvili, a senior researcher at the Civic IDEA. The paper summarizes the Civic IDEA’s China Watch reports and measures the growing Chinese influence in critical infrastructure and defense sectors of the country by reviewing the misconduct related to the notorious and blacklisted Chinese companies (CEFC, Sinohydro, Motor Sich, Nuctech, CRBC) actively operating in Georgia within the BRI. Moreover, the research stresses that these Chinese companies usually mediate the massive corruption schemes orchestrated by the Chinese state officials and local business and political elites. This occasion explains the ignorance of the Georgian government in failing to investigate the company’s reputation with which they are signing the MoUs and handing the projects critical for Georgia’s natural security.
Artak Kyurumyan, an independent expert and a chairman of the board of Open Society Foundation, discusses Sino-Armenian political relations and the performance of Armenian investments in the People’s Republic of China. The paper highpoints the diversity of opinions in the experts’ community, as some believe that Armenia has working relations with China, while others think that Armenian-Chinese relations are in stagnation. Armenian authorities don’t have a vision or strategy on how to build ties with China. Russia had and has a significant impact on Armenian foreign policy and holds leverages to influence them. For several years different Armenian governments were optimistic about the Armenian-Chinese joint venture Shanxi-Nairit. Shanxi Nairit does not utilize its full capacity and could not cover its costs and accumulated huge losses. After 2018 the representatives of the Revolutionary government were also represented in the board of Shanxi Nairit and were assuring that they are doing important job. However, large parts of the Armenian community think that government officials use such opportunities to travel and don’t create any substantial value added.
Gubad Ibadoghlu, a senior policy analyst of the Economic Research Center, covers China’s mounting interests and influence in Azerbaijan, emphasizing the boosted trade between China and Azerbaijan and between China and Europe through the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway, which forms an integral part of the Belt and Road construction and serves as a critical bridge that connects the eastern and western ends of Eurasia. Moreover, Azerbaijan is devoted to building a new corridor for cross-border transportation designed to cut through the territory of Armenia to join up the Azerbaijan mainland and the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan. For China, this corridor will serve as the second South Caucasus route leading to Europe via Armenia, Nakhchivan, and Turkey. Azerbaijan’s economic diversification policy and China’s willingness to transfer industrial capacity facilitate more extensive economic cooperation between the two countries. Besides, China has failed to close several critical financial agreements at the governmental level to boost economic ties with Azerbaijan. There are currently no agreements on currency swaps, industrial transfer, or free trade between the two countries.
Research on informing the people of Kazakhstan about the activities of Chinese companies in the Kazakhstani extractive sector belongs to Danil Bekturganov, a political scientist and a Director of NGO “Civil Expertise” in Kazakhstan, who analyzes the coverage of activities of Chinese companies in the extractive sector of Kazakhstan by Kazakh media. In addition to analyzing the awareness of citizens, investigated the availability of statements and other documents issued by the government of Kazakhstan related to Chinese investments and BRI. The study examines specific cases related to the impact of the activities of Chinese extractive companies on local communities, and social, economic and environmental consequences of these activities. Mr. Bekturganov argues that Kazakhstan is one of the key places in the implementation of the BRI. Large Chinese extractive and construction companies operate on the territory of the country, railway and road routes, including the “Western Europe – Western China” corridor, pass through Kazakhstan’s territory. One of the important parts of the BRI implementation is the informing of Kazakhstani citizens about the initiative and about the opportunities, provided to businesses and local communities. The absence or lack of information gives rise to a large number of myths and phobias, and does not contribute to increasing public confidence in the presence of Chinese business in Kazakhstan. Another important aspect is the environmental impact of Chinese projects, which should be objectively and publicly assessed.
Bakytbek Satybekov, an expert and a co-chairperson of the National Open Government Forum in the Kyrgyz Republic explains China’s “debt trap” diplomacy in Kyrgyzstan by highlighting the obvious signs of the presence of such a policy in the country. Author starts with the description of a term China’s “debt trap” with examples of experience of other countries. After that mr, Satybekov describes history of Kyrgyz borrowings from China with details, such as purposes of loans, financial and other conditions and later emphasizes evolution of Kyrgyz debt management strategy with emphasis on limitation of share on a creditor in debt portfolio. At last, he provides the audience with the analysis of impact (outcome) the Chinese “debt trap” could bring to Kyrgyzstan.
Umedjon Majidi, political analyst and a postgraduate of the University of Sussex covers the topic of Corrosive inflows to the Republic of Tajikistan and how Chinese investments undermine good governance and transparency in Central Asian region. Corrosive capital coined by Center for International Private Enterprise based in Washington DC is defined the term “corrosive capital” to more clearly label financing that lacks transparency, accountability, and market orientation flowing from authoritarian regimes into new and transitioning democracies. It applies directly to big authoritarian countries which play a key role in Central Asia, they are Russia, China that lack true forms of transparency, accountability, good governance in their capital granting schemes. This paper based on wide variety of publications in various languages analyzes specifically how People’s Republic of China within its strategy of Belt and Road Initiative in Tajikistan brings bad governance schemes to Tajikistan local and national governance institutions in contrast of western countries when the capital and funds come usually with conditions to reform a local governance attached.
Farkhod Tolipov, a director of the non-governmental Research Institution “Bilim Karvoni” (“Caravan of Knowledge”) in Tashkent, finalizes the collection of articles with his input “China’s Power Projection in Central Asia and its Geopolitical Implications: The Case of Uzbekistan”. The state’s power projection capability means its ability to exert influence on other states by utilizing its real power. This utilization of power can take different forms from diplomatic communications and political pressure to open demonstration and application, separately or in combination, of elements of soft and hard power. So this paper is constructed around the main question as to what we know about China’s power projection undertakings in the Central Asian region with some more focus on Uzbekistan. Public and experts’ opinions in Central Asian countries are quite ambiguous about Chinese influence in the region; Sino-phobia and Sinophilia coexist among people, officials, and experts. In particular, Beijing’s repressive attitude towards Uighurs in Xingjian province also affected the perception of China by Central Asians. China as a great power cannot, but pursues great-power politics, which per se can bring with it opportunities and challenges for neighboring areas including the Central Asian region. Moreover, all great powers historically have always competed with each other and this competition, in turn, always caused significant geopolitical implications.
On December 2, Civic IDEA together with the Embassy of Poland to Georgia organized a joint conference “China: Threat or a Strategic Alternative”. The event was hosted by the Embassy of Poland. During the discussions, the speakers reviewed Beijing’s engagement in Central and Eastern Europe, its economic expansion as a decisive pillar in China’s grand strategy.
Georgian and foreign experts participated in the conference. The conference agenda can be found in the attached file. It’s been four years, since Civic IDEA has been actively researching Chinese influence operations in various regions worldwide.
Tinatin Khidasheli, Chairperson of the Civic IDEA, participated in the Yabloko – ALDE Online Conference “Development Prospects for Russia and Europe in the New Conditions. Liberal Approach”
On September 23, Civic IDEA’s report “Who is in charge of the post cold war world? Chinese influence in Academia, Media & CSOs, The case of Georgia” was featured in the article “China’s footprint in Georgia causes anxiety” published by Eurasianet.
Below you can find an extract from the article mentioning Civic IDEA and its chairperson Ms. Tinatin Khidasheli:
A report last year by the Tbilisi-based think tank Civic IDEA detailed the expansion in Sino-Georgian educational ties over the last decade, listing numerous Chinese-language programs and the many opportunities, often with generous financial backing, for Georgian students to live in China.
“Year after year, Chinese interest in Georgia grows and so does the scope and size of educational programs and cooperation in academia,” said the report, authored by former defense minister Tinatin Khidasheli. It called this part of “a full-scale Chinese Communist Party ideological operation,” that includes influence over the media, civil society, telecommunications infrastructure, and business.
Khidasheli told Eurasianet that Georgia risks becoming economically dependent on China and a pawn in a great power competition emerging between China and the West. Already Chinese companies are breaking local labor and environmental laws with impunity. Yet most Georgian pundits are unaware of China’s inroads, she cautioned, “heavily preoccupied” as they are with Russia.
Civic IDEA joins the statement of the Georgian Non-governmental organization’s regarding the Georgian Dream’s disturbing trend of attacks on our western partners. Those statements aim to discredit our strategic partners and friends.
? “The unwavering will of the people of Georgia was and is the integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. We think that with such actions and statements, the Georgian government is further distancing us from our historic choice.”
The link of the statement of the Georgian Non-governmental organization’s ?
In the interview with Axios, the chairperson of Civic IDEA, Tinatin Khidasheli discusses the Georgian political elite’s shady dealings with the notorious Chinese companies. She brings up the examples and important details related to the reputation of these firms, their blacklisting history, and the threats they pose to national security, worker’s rights, the environment of Georgia.
How did the dissolution of the USSR impact the European Community, and later the EU? Join us for the scisussion THIRTY YEARS ON: PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE EU AND ITS NEIGHBORS TO THE EAST Opening remarks: Prof. Philipp Ther, Professor of Central European History at the University of Vienna/ RECET – Research Center for the History ofHow did the dissolution of the USSR impact the European Community, and later the EU? Join us for the scisussion THIRTY YEARS ON: PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE EU AND ITS NEIGHBORS TO THE EAST
Opening remarks: Prof. Philipp Ther, Professor of Central European History at the University of Vienna/ RECET – Research Center for the History of Transformations.
Speaker: Vasily Astrov, Economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies Tinatin Khidasheli,Chair of Civic IDEA, former Georgian Defense Minister Kristi Raik (online), Director of the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute at the ICDS Tatiana Romanova, Associate Professor at St. Petersburg State University, Russia Sebastian Schäffer , Managing Director at the Institute for Danube Region and Central Europe.
Moderation: Swoboda Hannes, President of the IIP and former MEP This event is organized by the International Peace Institute (IPI) in cooperation with Multilateraler Dialog KAS Wien, IDM Institut für den Donauraum und Mitteleuropa/Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, and with the support of the Diplomatische Akademie Wien Akademie Wien.
On Tuesday, Nov 9, during the Webinar on ‘Georgia’s Domestic Challenges: Implications for national security and Western integration’, the discussion was held about the ongoing Georgia’s crisis with authoritative experts and diplomats. Speakers included: Amb. Ian Kelly MEP Andrius Kubilius Civic IDEA Chair Tinatin Khidasheli MP Salome Samadashvili Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council Amb. Matthew Bryza, former deputy assistant Secretary of State.
Civic IDEA joins the statement of the Georgian Non-governmental organization’s regarding the Georgian Dream’s disturbing trend of attacks on our western partners. Those statements aim to discredit our strategic partners and friends. 
On Tuesday, Nov 9, during the Webinar on ‘Georgia’s Domestic Challenges: Implications for national security and Western integration’, the discussion was held about the ongoing Georgia’s crisis with authoritative experts and diplomats. Speakers included: 
Amb. Ian Kelly