Hungary’s Indo-Pacific positioning is focused on China, and shaped less by mutually beneficial relations than by structural dependence. The incoming Magyar government would most likely not alter this position, but it may begin to redefine its limits. Key takeaways: Incoming Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar is unlikely to break with Chinese economic relations but will… Continue reading From Bridgehead to Boundaries? Hungary’s prospective Indo-Pacific strategy under Péter Magyar
This article introduces a special issue examining how small European countries exercise agency in their relations with an increasingly assertive China. It elaborates the theoretical glue that binds these studies, summarizes their main arguments, and discusses both their specific and collective contributions. The vast power asymmetry between China and these countries, coupled with the increasing… Continue reading Agency amid asymmetry: how small European states shape relations with a rising China
(This is a slightly edited version of a speech given at the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and the EU Democracy Shield Special Committee session “China’s Influence in the EU and Globally” on 5 November 2025). Let me sum up my argument first: China’s challenge to the global governance is primarily driven by its impressive… Continue reading Reshaping global governance: China’s strategy to influence international organizations and reframe international law
With China and the US agreeing to suspend the enforcement of strict export controls on Chinese rare-earth materials, the EU can breathe a sigh of relief. But the episode underscores that if the EU wants to shape its own future, it must confront its critical vulnerabilities. Key takeaways: The truce between Presidents Xi Jinping and… Continue reading The EU is stuck between China and a hard place
