Axios
Estonia warns of “quiet world dominated by Beijing”
In its annual report released today, the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service paints a sharp picture of China’s attempts to silence criticism and dominate key technologies in Estonia and other democracies. Why it matters: The small Baltic state has decades of experience in combating Russia’s authoritarian interference. China’s actions in Estonia are now ringing similar alarm bells. Stay informed about the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for freeRead the news: The report comes a week after Estonia and five other countries berated Beijing for sending low-ranking ministers instead of presidents or prime ministers to the 17 + 1 summit convened by Chinese officials. Implementing China’s foreign policy doctrine or creating a “community of common destiny” will result in a Beijing-dominated world. In the face of increasing confrontation with the West, China’s main goal is to create a rift between the United States and Europe. “The section of the report on China highlights Beijing’s growing ability to conduct leverage operations in the West through economic leverage, overseeing Chinese nationals abroad, and cultivating local elites. The report also cautions China’s leadership” has a clear goal of making the world dependent on Chinese technology “, with reference to 5G manufacturer Huawei and navigation system BeiDou. Background: Russia has long been Estonia’s greatest security concern, particularly the risk of a military invasion. China does not pose a military threat to Estonia. However, Estonia became increasingly suspicious of Estonia in the 2010s Beijing’s use of economic coercion for geopolitical ends, its cyber espionage and its growing partnership with Russia. This year’s Foreign Intelligence Service report uses the harshest language yet. The country’s greatest concern is the “dismantling of the world order that it is.” Made it possible for Estonia to regain its independence 30 years ago, as well as the prosperity and development we have participated in in the past. “30 years,” said Frank Jueris, research fellow at the Estonian Foreign Policy Institute at the International Center for Defense and Security in Estonia’s capital Tallinn. The big picture: Like the Czech Republic, Estonia is more open to criticism of China than larger European countries such as Germany and France. “This is not the first time that small European states are the pioneers and are leading in the right direction,” said Jüris. “It was mainly the small European states that had experience of an aggressive Russia that warned other European states about the Russian regime.” Go Deeper: More Countries Are Warning About China’s EspionageLike this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.
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