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Faculty of Arts and HumanitiesJakobi 2, r 116-121, 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaJakobi 2, 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaJakobi 2, IV korrus, 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaJakobi 2, III korrus, ruumid 302-337, 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaÜlikooli 16, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaÜlikooli 18, 50090 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaLossi 3, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaPosti 1, 71004 Viljandi linn, ViljandimaaJakobi 2, 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaJakobi 2, 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaFaculty of Social SciencesLossi 36, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaJakobi 5, 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaLossi 36, ruum 301, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaNarva mnt 18, 51009 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaNäituse 2, 50409 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaNäituse 20 - 118, 50409 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaLossi 36, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaRaekoja plats 2, 20307 Narva linn, Ida-VirumaaRingi 35, 80012 Pärnu linn, Pärnu linn, PärnumaaLossi 36, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaLossi 36, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaFaculty of MedicineRavila 19, 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaBiomeedikum, Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaNooruse 1, 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaL. Puusepa 1a, 50406 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaL. Puusepa 8, 50406 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaRavila 19, 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaUjula 4, 51008 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaRavila, 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaRavila 19, 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaFaculty of Science and TechnologyVanemuise 46 - 208, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaNarva mnt 18, 51009 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaRavila 14a, 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaNarva mnt 18, 51009 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaRiia 23, 23b - 134, 51010 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaNooruse 1, 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaJ. Liivi tn 2, 50409 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaRiia 23b/2, 51010 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaVanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaVanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaArea of RectorArea of Vice Rector for Academic AffairsUppsala 10, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaÜlikooli 18b, 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaÜlikooli 18a (III korrus), 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaArea of Vice Rector for ResearchW. Struve 1, 50091 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaArea of Director of AdministrationÜlikooli 18, ruumid 102, 104, 209, 210, 50090 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaÜlikooli 18A (III korrus), 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaArea of Head of FinanceÜlikooli 17, 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaArea of Vice Rector for DevelopmentLossi 25, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaVanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaNarva mnt 18, 51009 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, TartumaaArea of Academic SecretaryUppsala 6, Lossi 36, 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa
17.08.2026
East Asian research direction
The Asia Centre's research activity in the direction of East Asia
The East Asian direction focuses on East Asia, including China, Japan and Taiwan. The research involves analysis of the economic and political situation of the East Asian states and their international relations. A particular focus is on the rise of China's influence and related risks for the security structure of Estonia, Europe and the whole Western world. In addition, Estonia's role in the international cooperation networks dealing with these topics is strengthened.
The priorities of the research direction:
- to analyse the East Asian states' geopolitical strategies and their influence on world security and international relations;
- to support relations between Estonia and the East Asian states by organising seminars and publishing reports, study books and research articles;
- to promote cooperation between Estonian researchers and the education system with East Asian partners;
- to ensure that European and Estonian decision-makers have access to independent high-quality information about East Asian (particularly Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean) societies.
Connected projects:
- ReConnect China: generating independent knowledge for a resilient future with China for Europe and its citizens (2022-2026)
- Book and report about Taiwan (2024-2026, part of the project “China's and India's foreign policy and sustainable development in the new geopolitical context”)
- Textbook on the history of Asian societies (2023-2025)
- Taiwan Chair (2022-2025)
- Compiling and publishing a book about relations between Japan and Estonia (2023-2024)
- Developing educational and scientific cooperation with Singapore (2022)
- Report on the future relations between Estonia and Asia (2021-2022)
- Nitza-Makowska, A., Bhutia, K. D., Riether, D., Sinitsyna, A., & Süld, E. (2026). Is China Losing Its Soft Power in the Ukraine War? Evidence From the Indo-Pacific. Asia Europe Journal, 24, 245–264.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10308-025-00764-x
- Nitza-Makowska, A. (2026). Global South Agency in the International Climate Regime: China’s Status as a “Responsible Great Power” in the Spotlight. In A. Ranjan, A. Nitza-Makowska, & E. Süld (Eds.), India, China, and Climate Change Governance: Leadership and Responsibility in the Asian Global South. Routledge.
- Nitza-Makowska, Agnieszka (2025). China as a “Green Soft Power” and the Belt and Road Initiative: Evidence from Pakistan. Politics and Governance, 13, 9106. DOI: 10.17645/pag.9106.
- Nitza-Makowska, Agnieszka; Longhurst, Kerry; Skiert-Andrzejuk, Katarzyna (2025). Greening the Belt and Road Initiative and the 2030 Agenda: China's Environmental Diplomacy Discourse in Focus. The International Spectator. DOI: 10.1080/03932729.2025.2526371.
- Rohtmets, Priit; Lind, Erki; Läänemets, Märt; Tšernjuk, Mart (2024). Estonia. In: Laurence Cox, Ugo Dessì, Lukas K. Pokorny (Ed.). East Asian Religiosities in the European Union. (111−126). Brill. (Religion and Transformation in Contemporary European Society; 29). DOI: 10.30965/9783657794669_009.
- Nitza-Makowska, Agnieszka (2024). Russia’s Aggression against Ukraine and South Asia: What are The Implications of Moscow’s Nuclear Blackmail for India and Pakistan? Przeglad Strategiczny, 17, 77−90. DOI: 10.14746/ps.2024.1.5.
- Nitza-Makowska, Agnieszka; Doma Bhutia, Kikee; Hõbepappel, Urmas; Luik, Lelde; Sinitsyna, Anastasia; Süld, Elo (2023). Mapping the scope of China's soft power in Estonia. East Asian Policy, 15 (4), 22−37. DOI: 10.1142/S1793930523000272.
- Nitza-Makowska, Agnieszka (2023). India and the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. In: Chris Ogden (Ed.). Global India. (30−46). Routledge. DOI: 10.4324/9781003305132-4.
- Nitza-Makowska, Agnieszka (2022). Can the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor help Beijing Win Pakistanis’ hearts and minds? Reviewing higher education as an instrument of Chinese soft power in Pakistan. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 28 (3), 274−289. DOI: 10.1080/10286632.2021.1962849.
- Tšernjuk, Mart (2020). Zhuāng-Zǐ I peatükk “Lenneldes-hõljeldes” (莊子。逍遙遊 xiāoyáo yóu). Idakiri: Eesti Akadeemilise Orientaalseltsi aastaraamat, 2019, 7−19.
- Rohtmets, Priit; Kuuskmäe, Tiit; Pappel, Urmas (2018). The Origins of Estonia-China Relations. Tartu: Eesti Akadeemiline Orientaalselts.
- Tšernjuk, Mart (2016). Kūn ja Péng Zhuāng-Zi raamatus. Idakiri: Eesti Akadeemilise Orientaalseltsi aastaraamat, 2015 (8), 7−16.
- All thematic podcasts, reports and analyses can be found on the Asia Centre page “To read and listen”.
- We mediate scholarships and fellowships connected to the region.
- In October of 2025, a public lecture “China’s Strategic Concerns: from Regional to Global" was held.
- In October of 2024, we organised a conference ”ReConnect China Dialogue? Bridging Gaps, Charting Futures with Europe” in the University of Tartu.
Coordinator of the research direction
Mart Tšernjuk
MA (History)
Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures
Department of Languages of the Asian Region
Teacher of Chinese Language, 0.8 p
Lossi 3–410
Member of the research group
Urmas Hõbepappel
MA (Asian Studies)
School of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Tartu Asia Centre
Analyst, 0.5 p
Ülikooli 20–315
Member of the research group
Rodion Krupin
Institute of Cultural Research
Centre for Oriental Studies
Research Assistant, 0.4 p
External members
Louis John Wierenga
