abcnews: “China's 'mask diplomacy' wins support in Eastern Europe”

Some Eastern European countries like Serbia, Hungary and the Czech Republic are praising China for its shipments of medical aid amid the coronavirus pandemic, while also playing down assistance they have received from the European Union

BELGRADE, Serbia -- When China’s first shipment of coronavirus medical aid landed in Belgrade, the president of Serbia was there to kiss the Chinese flag. In Hungary, officials have played down assistance from the European Union and praised Beijing’s help. In the Czech Republic, its president says that only China was there during the virus spread.

China was criticized in the West for its early mishandling of the crisis due to politically motivated foot-dragging while the virus raced through a province and its capital, Wuhan. Now it is seeking to change perceptions through “mask diplomacy” — a mix of soft power policy, political messaging and aid shipments — to portray Beijing as a generous and efficient ally.

“We must be aware there is a geopolitical component, including a struggle for influence, through spinning and the politics of generosity,” EU’s top foreign policy official Josep Borrell recently wrote in a blog, referring to China. “Armed with facts, we need to defend Europe against its detractors.”

Czech President Milos Zeman, known for his pro-Russian and pro-Chinese views, said in a speech March 19 that “China was the only country that helped us have the (protective) gear delivered.”

China expert Martin Hala countered by criticizing what he called a “huge propaganda campaign that accompanies the so-called aid” from Beijing. He told Czech public TV it was“a normal commercial delivery,” not aid.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/chinas-mask-diplomacy-wins-support-eastern-europe-70137141

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