A pro-government commentator welcomes the government’s pragmatism in Chinese affairs. An independent conservative columnist agrees that China is an important economic partner for Hungary, but fears that Chinese investment may increase corruption. READ MORE
A pro-government columnist agrees with PM Orbán that after the election of Donald Trump, Hungary will have the chance to put the national interest first. A left-wing commentator doubts that Hungary is on an equal footing with the US. READ MORE
A liberal columnist contends that the US is pressurizing Hungary in order to protect its own geopolitical interests. Centrist and liberal conservative commentators warn of the consequences of diplomatic isolation and call for reconciliation with the US and the EU. A liberal weekly speculates that PM Orbán is already on his way out of the EU and NATO. READ MORE
Commentators agree on the importance of broadening business ties with China, but left-wing analysts criticise the political overtones of the Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing. READ MORE
A left wing pundit suggests that Hungary should follow the example of the United States and borrow from China to alleviate her financial difficulties. READ MORE
PM Viktor Orbán suggests that Hungary should focus less on the declining West, where sovereign debts have become unmanageable, and concentrate instead on introducing a labour-based economic model, whilst strengthening ties with Central European countries. Pundits ponder the possible implications of the PM’s new vision. READ MORE
Striking differences were apparent in the press coverage of the visits of two US Secretaries of State to Budapest. Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice came to unveil the monument to Ronald Reagan, while her successor, Hillary Clinton spoke at the opening ceremony of the Tom Lantos Institute. READ MORE
Few question the advantages of the bilateral agreements signed by PM Viktor Orbán and his counterpart Wen Jiabao on June 25 in Budapest, especially in the mainstream press. Many popular bloggers, however, even on the right of the political spectrum, argue that the government went too far in its courtesy towards the Asian giant. READ MORE
The most notable change in Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s foreign policy is that he has realized the necessity of cooperating with China – writes Gyula Krajczár in Népszabadság. The Hungarian PM and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao signed a dozen bilateral agreements on Saturday in Budapest. READ MORE