György Matolcsy, the former governor of the Hungarian National Bank, was a key figure in Hungary’s “Eastern Opening” policy toward Beijing, Moscow, and other non-Western partners. Following his fall from Orbán’s grace, the MNB-funded network of pro-Eastern Opening think tanks is also in trouble. Key takeaways: Hungary’s State Audit Office uncovered major financial mismanagement by… Continue reading Hungary’s “Eastern Opening Czar” falls out of Orbán’s grace
In light of concerns over political interference, many countries halted their cooperation with China’s Confucius Institutes, allowing Taiwan’s Mandarin learning centers to grow. However, the organization’s decentralized nature has led to a different path of development. Key takeaways: In response to global concerns about the Confucius Institutes, Taiwan launched its own Mandarin education initiative in… Continue reading Race for Mandarin: Taiwan’s language education institutes in Central Europe
As the reliability of the transatlantic alliance comes into question, the EU struggles to define a unified strategy, caught between economic opportunities and growing security concerns about China. This uncertainty leaves the EU vulnerable to both external pressures and internal divisions. Key takeaways: The EU’s approach to cooperation with China has been inconsistent, which has… Continue reading Nascent transatlantic drift muddles EU’s approach to cooperation with China
