The Italian Senate on Oct. 9 hosted a conference titled “Chinese Influence in the EU: The Cases of Italy and Eastern Europe (Romania),” co-organized by Doublethink Lab, Expert Forum and the Global Committee for the Rule of Law “Marco Pannella.”
The event brought together a distinguished panel, Taiwan Representative to Italy Vincent Tsai (蔡允中), Italian Senate Committee on EU Policies President Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, Expert Forum president Sorin Ionita, Italian senators Andrea De Priamo and Cinzia Pellegrino, as well as journalist Giulia Pompili of Italian daily Il Foglio.
The conference examined the evolving dynamics between the EU and China, focusing on Beijing’s growing influence in Europe, particularly in Italy and parts of eastern Europe.
Speakers presented evidence showing that Italy’s stance toward China has shifted significantly since December 2023, when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the country’s withdrawal from the 2019 memorandum of understanding on participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The non-renewal of the memorandum of understanding has curtailed some of China’s influence in Italy.
However, disinformation campaigns, psychological manipulation, and forms of economic and political coercion persist. Beijing’s support for Russia’s hybrid threats also remains a serious concern.
Western democratic institutions continue to face challenges from Chinese Communist Party interference.
In Italy, Beijing’s influence is still being exerted through several channels — including academic partnerships through Confucius Institutes at 12 universities, online hybrid operations leveraging social media and digital technologies, and cultural suppression, such as the obstruction of performances by the US-based Shen Yun dance troupe.
Moreover, China’s growing use of artificial intelligence platforms such as DeepSeek and other advanced technologies is increasingly viewed by European governments as a major national security risk.
Over the past two years, the European Council, Parliament and Commission have implemented mechanisms to strengthen continent-wide efforts against disinformation.
The Italian Senate’s Committees on Foreign Affairs and EU Policies adopted a resolution — approved by a large majority — calling for new parliamentary measures to prevent and counter the spread of disinformation aimed at subverting democratic institutions.
Globally, the situation is also alarming: In 65 percent of countries — up from 45 percent — leading social media platforms are owned or controlled by entities linked to the People’s Republic of China. The widespread deployment of real-time facial recognition, data tracking and online speech monitoring has amplified pro-Beijing narratives, while silencing dissent.
Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2025: The Uphill Battle to Safeguard Rights, published last year, said: “Global freedom declined for the 19th consecutive year in 2024. Sixty countries experienced deterioration in their political rights and civil liberties, and only 34 secured improvements.”
As human rights face mounting pressure amid the global expansion of surveillance and geopolitical uncertainty, Taiwan’s role as a democracy on the front line countering Chinese influence remains essential. For this reason, the EU should continue to strengthen its relations with Taipei.
Matteo Angioli is Secretary General of the Global Committee for the Rule of Law “Marco Pannella.”
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