Already a host for European carmakers switching to EVs, Hungary’s welcoming of major Chinese carmakers such as BYD will boost its ambition of becoming Europe’s EV manufacturing centre.
The security agreement signed by Canberra and Port Moresby has triggered commentary that it was a reaction to China’s rise. If China fears have sparked this stepped-up security cooperation between two neighbours, those fears have had a net positive effect.
In the new normal in liberal democracies like Australia, a fearful majority can be mobilised against indigenous rights or a rational China policy. The Australian PM has to keep his objectives for his upcoming China trip modest, as it will be judged at home through the populist filter of fear.
The Central Asian nation is taking advantage of its strategic location to diversify away from its traditional dependence on Russia. Despite fears of Chinese colonisation, it has succeeded in aligning the belt and road projects with its own development plan, something that can be a lesson for other middle powers.
The Pacific fishing industry, stressed from climate change and overfishing, does not need additional challenges. Amid concerns about marine life and food safety, Tokyo should apply the precautionary principle.
Instead of supporting the US tech war on China, the European Union could take the lead in finding pragmatic solutions to the security problems posed by new technologies that other states can implement.
Optimism about globalisation could be snuffed out for a long time, making the outlook for China and its deeply global value chains problematic. How China chooses to respond could deepen Western fears – or begin the long process of nurturing a new form of sustainable cooperation.
Any overreaction by China to this unremarkable alliance of traditional partners would only reinforce their current China ‘threat’ narratives. The nuclear submarine announcement could prove to be more about geopolitical posturing than anything else.
Australia has chosen a side, tying its future security to deeper integration into the US contest with China. No doubt this is a suitable arrangement for the US, but it raises several questions for Australia – not least what does it lose if the strategy fails?