The Taiwanese media and public have recently paid growing attention to the countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Taipei’s efforts to develop ties with Lithuania and the Czech Republic, as well as Poland and Slovakia, have become a hot topic. Headlines in the press lauded each related event: “Lithuania Shows Blueprint to Oppose China,” “Taiwan and Poland Tied by Love of Democracy,” “The New Czech Foreign Minister Calls Taiwan Important Economic Partner ‘Taiwan is Several Times More Important than China.’” Despite some titles showing more restraint, in general, expectations regarding Taiwan – CEE cooperation seem to be high. This article attempts to explain the most recent developments in relations between selected Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) towards Taiwan. It looks at the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia — the four members of the Visegrád Group (Visegrád Four, later V4) — an alliance formed in 1991 by the countries of Central Europe to advance cooperation on issues of common interest. It traces their foreign policy choices concerning relations with China and Taiwan since the end of the Cold War, inquiries into the decisive factors behind them, and examines the static and changing elements in their relations with both Asian partners. Finally, it provides policy recommendations.
