China’s Influence in the Nordic – Baltic Information Environment: Denmark and Lithuania
China’s Influence in the Nordic – Baltic Information Environment: Denmark and Lithuania

Author(s): Marc Lanteigne, Larissa Stünkel, Konstantinas Andrijauskas, André Ken Jakobsson, Christiern Santos Okholm
Contributor(s): Merle Anne Read (Editor)
Subject(s): Politics, Media studies, Communication studies, Security and defense, ICT Information and Communications Technologies, Hybrid Warfare
Published by: NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
Keywords: China; Nordic-Baltic Region; Information Environment; Strategic Communication; Influence Operations; China–Lithuania Relations;
Summary/Abstract: The Nordic countries began cooperating with China through diplomatic recognition in early 1950, with Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden all establishing ties with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), making them among the first Western nations to do so. The Baltic countries gradually began cooperating with China in the early 1990s after regaining their independence following the demise of the Soviet Union. This provided the ground for multifaceted collaboration that continues to evolve today. The nations in the Nordic-Baltic region have not taken a common approach to the collaboration with China; nor has China used a uniform approach to the region. Consequentially, bilateral relations have developed on an individual basis over time shaped by events and policy decisions. Beijing’s interests in the region have been summarised with these key objectives: promotion of China’s core interests, which are non-interference and safeguarding domestic political stability; acquisition of technology and know-how, utilising the region as a door-opener for other arenas, e.g., for politically motivated activities towards the EU; and addressing misconceptions and improving the perception of China.1 A decade ago, governments in both China and the Nordic-Baltic states were working on broadening and deepening their cooperation through ambitious agreements and exchanges of high-level visits. Each of the Nordic countries held frequent meetings with Chinese representatives, signed Memorandums of Understanding to expand bilateral cooperation, competed with each other to attract Chinese investments, and welcomed Chinese-led multilateral initiatives such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as well as China’s growing involvement in the Arctic.2 In 2012, as a platform for promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, the China and Central and Eastern European Cooperation (China-CEEC) was initiated, collectively known as the “16+1”-format. The Baltic States became members alongside a diverse set of Balkan and Central European countries. China portrayed the format as an innovative approach to regional cooperation. Although framed as multilateralism, in practice the format was largely bilateral and highly competitive in nature.3 However, in 2021, Lithuania became the first country to officially withdraw from the format, followed by Estonia and Latvia in 2022 as the hoped-for economic outcomes did not materialize.4 Thus, in recent years and across the Nordic-Baltic region, the approach to Beijing has significantly shifted. The earlier political proactivity has changed to precaution with capitals walking a tightrope between acknowledging China as a crucial partner for e.g. trade and for solving global challenges, such as climate change effects, as well as recognizing the country also as a systemic rival and an economic competitor. Although Beijing has become more self-assertive on the international stage, it has toned down its engagement in this region, while still pursuing the political objectives and economic opportunities noted above.

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