Eurasia 2023/5 - mobil

EURASIA

China takes the centre stage in global diplomacy

Table of contents

FOREWORD

–

GEURASIA

2-3.

Macron, China, and the future of EU strategic autonomy

– Loretta Tóth

4-5.

Türkiye at the crossroads

– Zoltán Koskovics

6. A different perspective on democracy

– Eszter Boros

THE ECONOMICS OF GEOGRAPHY

7. Asia's response to global challenges

8-9.

Geopolitical space in the 21st century

– Norbert Csizmadia

NEW SUSTAINABLE ECONOMICS

10-12.

“We must rise above our short-term short-sightedness:” interview with Raekwon Chung, Board Director of Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future

– Loretta Tóth

NEW AGE – NEW ROAD

14-15. Asia dominates the battery market

– Máté Litkei

16-17. We must become intermediaries: interview with Balázs Orbán, Political Director of Hungary’s Prime Minister

– Mariann Őry

2T2C: TALENT, TECHNOLOGY, CAPITAL, COGNITION

18. Could China win the next generation 6G race?

– Joakim Scheffer

20-21. Developing the robotics industry in Shanghai

– Ildikó Nagy

22. Eurasia Forum – top quotes

CULTURE AND INNOVATION

24-25.

Magical Hungarian past in Shanghai

– Boglárka Barta

26.Neumann 2023

27. Highlights of Eurasia –Georgia

29. Book reviews

RHYMES IN HISTORY

30. Men’s headgears in Central Asia

– Szabolcs Veres ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE IN A MODERN WORLD

31. Make Culture, Not War

– David Bartosch

War and Peace

In the foreword to the latest issue, you could read about the meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin and the changes they said had not been seen for 100 years. Events in recent weeks have confirmed this change. While the diplomatic statements and decisions of the Western world foreshadow bloc building and a new Cold War, the East continues to focus on connectivity and globalisation 2.0.

The West, ignoring or rather concealing its own internal problems, continues to see the East as a target. It caused great surprise and shock in the West that French President Emmanuel Macron, following his visit to China, shared ideas that were different from the Western narrative. Perhaps the French head of state has different motivations: to strengthen his role in the EU - now that German dominance has been weakened by Merkel's departure - or revenge for the failure of the Austro-French submarine deal and the loss of face caused by the creation of the Anglo-Saxon AUKUS. What is certain, however, is that in recent years Chinese leaders have always stressed in their discussions with European and EU leaders that the EU and European countries should act in their own (and not others') interests. Has Macron now heard this? Could Macron's words foreshadow the fragmentation of the alliance and the evolution of a unipolar world order into a multipolar one? We will get an answer in the coming years.

Levente Horváth, Ph.D., Director of the Eurasia Center, Editor-in-Chief of the Eurasia Magazine

In any case, the West continues to want to “pacify” the Russian-Ukrainian war with arms, while the East is pushing for peaceful negotiations. Chinese President Xi Jinping has been negotiating not only with Russia but also with the Ukrainian President to bring the war to a peaceful end. Zelensky thanked the Chinese leader in particular for China's support to Ukraine with aid shipments, not weapons. It is also worth highlighting China's conciliatory role in other regions, as China has mediated the resumption of diplomatic relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia. It is clear that China is emerging as a responsible, conciliatory power on the international stage, while the West's actions are leading the world in a different direction. The question is which side offers the best vision for the hitherto uncommitted nations. If the Western alliance system is already forcing members into a choice of spheres, who will choose which? But perhaps the most important question is whether countries act in their own interests or those of others.

“Eurasia is the chessboard on which the struggle for global primacy continues to be played…”

Zbigniew Brzezinski

War and peace

Levente Horváth

Macron, China, and the future of EU strategic autonomy

AMID THE GROWING GEOPOLITICAL DIVIDE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE WEST, EMMANUEL MACRON TOOK A BUSINESS DELEGATION TO BEIJING TO MEET HIS COUNTERPART XI JINPING AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL – AND THE FRENCH PRESIDENT CAUSED AN UPROAR BY URGING EUROPE TO ASSERT ITS INDEPENDENCE AND STRATEGIC AUTONOMY BY REDUCING ITS DEPENDENCY ON THE UNITED STATES AND AVOIDING BEING CAUGHT IN A DISPUTE BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA OVER THE TAIWAN QUESTION.

added that while some leaders still won't say it publicly, they think just like Macron.

What changed the game and made European politicians more outspoken was none other than the Russian-Ukrainian war. The conflict, which pushed Europe into severe economic difficulties, came as a rare opportunity for the United States to rein in the EU from its pursuit of strategic au-tonomy. The EU is more dependent on Washington than ever before – in terms of security and energy as well.

The international community closely watched Macron's visit to China as it marked an essential diplomatic engagement between France and China. During his visit, Macron expressed support for the One China policy, which is China's long-standing stance that there is only one China, and Tai-wan is an inseparable part of China's territory.

Macron spoke to journalists from Politico Europe and the French newspaper Les Echos, saying that "the great risk" Europe faces is that it "gets caught up in crises that are not ours, which prevents it from building its strategic autonomy," especially when it comes to the US's escalating tensions with China over Taiwan. In the interview, he suggested that the "worst thing" would be to "take our cue from the US agenda and a Chinese overreaction." His statements caused turmoil among proUS and anti-China media outlets and politicians. Still, Macron stuck to his views in-stead of giving up: a few days later, he emphasized the importance of the European Union's strate-gic autonomy in a speech at the Nexus Institute in The Hague. And he was not left without a helping hand. In response to the outrage, European Council Presi-dent Charles Michel emphasized that EU leaders are becoming increasingly favourable toward Macron's push for "strategic autonomy" from the US. Michel

by Loretta Tóth

So it seems that some Europeans are going through a shift in mindset after realizing they are deal-ing with a friend profiting well from the war in Ukraine, and this friend, who is supposed to be an ally, is perhaps a little more selfish than necessary.

Evidence of this is that after Macron's visit, French companies are preparing to expand their busi-ness and trade ties in China – whether Americans like it or not.

The author is an editor of Eurasia Magazine

Emmanuel Macron and Xi Jinping at an informal meeting in Guangzhou

Photo: AFP, Xinhua, Yue Yuewei

Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron in Beijing

Photo: AFP, Ludovic Marin

TÜRKIYE AT THE CROSSROADS

by Zoltán Koskovics

TÜRKIYE'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AND THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST WERE HELD ON MAY 14. THE FINAL RESULTS, AFTER A SECOND ROUND OF VOTING FOR THE PRESIDENCY SCHEDULED FOR MAY 28, WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE GEOPOLITICAL BALANCE.

mean sacrificing strategic, economic, and trade opportunities and the dream cherished by many in Türkiye of becoming a regional power broker as the world transitions to a multipolar order.

The gravest problems, however, come from internal pressures. The opposition was convinced that it would win in the first round. The well-oiled propaganda machines that recently produced a virtual revolt in Georgia and Israel over developments that

did not suit the liberal globalists could kick into high gear if President Erdoğan is declared the winner. This is potentially a recipe for disaster that would reverberate throughout the region and have dire security implications.

The author is a geopolitical analyst at the Center for Fundamental Rights (Alapjogokért Központ)

Elections to the Grand National Assembly were concluded on May 14. President Erdoğan's "People's Alliance" was a comfortable winner, albeit with a slightly reduced majority. The pro-Western "National Alliance" came in a distant second with more than 100 fewer seats than the ruling coalition. "Labour and Freedom," with only 66 seats, rounds out the list of alliances and parties that won seats in the 600-member parliament.

The presidential election is clearly a referendum on Erdoğan, who has become a towering figure in

recent Turkish history. The opposition was resigned to this fact when it nominated the uncharismatic economist and retired bureaucrat Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The "Democratic Uncle," as he was dubbed, clearly hoped to attract the anti-Erdoğan vote. So far, this has propelled him into the second round, but in a much weaker position than his supporters had hoped. Erdogan fell just 0.6 percent short of the 50 percent of the vote that would have allowed him to win outright. His rival trails him by 4.5 percent.

Under Erdoğan’s leadership, Türkiye has become a formidable regional power. On the other hand, the country has suffered from sky-high inflation. Relations with EU and NATO allies have soured over ideological differences, with Erdoğan unwilling to follow the West down its woke path, as well as over the war in Ukraine, after Türkiye adopted a much more cautious position.

The stakes are enormous. The opposition promises to bring Türkiye back into ideological and military alignment with the U.S. and the EU. This would

President Erdoğan has achieved historic accomplishments throughout his career

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Photo: AFP, Anadolu Agency, Mustafa Kamaci

Mass rally of the president’s supporters

Photo: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan facebook

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON DEMOCRACY

by Eszter Boros

Wang Huiyao, the founding president of the influential Chinese think tank Center for China and Globalization (CCG), summarised in late February his perspective on the West’s approach to geopolitics in an opinion piece, which more broadly reflects the typical thinking of Chinese leadership and society.

ASIA’S RESPONSE TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES

„An Uncertain World: Solidarity and Cooperation for Development amid Challenges” was the theme of this year’s Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), Asia’s most influential economic forum, founded in 2001 and held every year since then, from 28 to 31 March.

György Matolcsy, Governor of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Hungary’s central bank), also participated in two round-table discussions and held talks at the forum with Yi Gang, Governor of the Chinese Central Bank, Chen Huaiyu, Vice Governor of Hainan Province, and Zhou Xiaochuan, Vice Chairman of the BFA.

The opinion piece, published in the South China Morning Post, was written on the occasion of the Munich Security Conference to highlight the divergence between the narratives of the Western political elite and the rest of the world. Moreover, Wang points out that the Western public does not necessarily welcome the bloc-building along the lines of political systems (democracy versus autocracy).

Wang, who addressed the Magyar Nemzeti Bank’s Eurasia Forum in Budapest two times, notes that in the wake of Russian aggression against Ukraine and the „Chinese threat”, the West has awakened to a new sense of mission: to draw a line between de-

mocracies and autocracies. However, this interpretation of global processes does not align with the emerging countries’ understanding or even reality. He concludes that the West alienates other societies by imposing its own narrative. This simplistic worldview also prevents it from addressing the international challenges that most people face (e.g. energy, inflation). This approach can be replaced by recognising the multipolar and networked nature of the 21st century. The most important long-term problems to be solved, economic and public health and environmental sustainability, require a joint effort by all nations, regardless of their political system.

The author is Senior International Adviser at Magyar Nemzeti Bank (the central bank of Hungary)

Hosted in the Chinese city of Bo’ao on the island of Hainan, the event brings together the world’s economic elite and is ranked on par with the World Economic Forum in Davos.

More than one hundred and sixty speakers from around the world have come to the Forum to seek common solutions to the challenges of a global environment defined by successive economic shocks.

In his opening speech, Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed that the dynamism and momentum of China’s economic growth are strong. He said his country will introduce new measures to boost domestic consumption and increase market access for foreign enterprises while ensuring the stability of the financial sector.

The Boao Forum has maintained good relations with the Magyar Nemzeti Bank in recent years. Zhou Xiaochuan was awarded the MNB’s Lá Mfalussy Award in 2018 - as the Chinese central bank’s governor -, and spoke at the 2020 Eurasia Forum. The BFA is also a supporter of the Eurasia Forum, and the two organisations have developed a close cooperation.

The West alienates other societies by imposing its own narrative.

President Xi Jinping greets deputies at the 14th National People's Congress

Deputies of the 14th National People's Congress

Photo: AFP/Xinhua/Huang Jingwen

Photo: AFP/Xinhua/Chen Yehua

Photo: AFP/Xinhua/Zhang Liyun

GEOPOLITICAL SPACE IN THE 21ST CENTURY

by Norbert Csizmadia

BY USING NEW TYPES OF GEOFUSION MAPS, WE CAN USE GEOGRAPHIC FACTORS TO DEFINE THE GEOPOLITICAL SPATIAL STRUCTURE THAT ALLOW US TO IDENTIFY THE KEY CENTRES OF POWER AND INTERCONNECTIONS OF A NEW, MULTI-CENTRED WORLD ECONOMY.

There are four regions of particular significance in terms of global connectivity: North America, Europe (Western Europe), China and South-East Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. It is important to emphasise that interrelated hierarchical spatial systems (global cities, nation states, geopolitical regions) must be examined together, because this is the basis for defining the fields of power.

As a result of the geofusion study, 2 global (largescale) geopolitical fields of power can be identified within 36 regional fields: the United States of America (USA) and Eurasia. Within these, the 2 main great power geopolitical leaders are China and the United States (G2 countries). There are also 16 regional powers: Russia, India, Japan, South Ko-

rea, Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Scandinavia, Brazil, and the Republic of South Africa.

Among the geopolitical regions, the gateway regions are of paramount importance for the future. Geofusion research reveals 6 gateways on our planet: South-East Asia – ASEAN countries, Central Asian countries, Persian Gulf countries, Southern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe (17+1 Initiative countries) and Central America.

Within the territories of nation states, there are also 64 global urban power centres (HUBs), which are located within the territory of a given nation state and are important parts of geopolitical power fields. Of the 64 global urban hubs, five belong to Latin America, three to Africa and three to Australia. There are 12 global cities in North America and 41 global cities on the Eurasian continent (of which 20 are in Asia and 21 in Europe).

The author is a geographer and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Pallas Athene Domus Meriti Foundation and the John von Neumann University Foundation

In the multi-centred world order it is not only countries that matter, but also the areas of regional cooperation, economic and geostrategic power centres, global hubs and global cities.

must rise above our short-term short-sightedness”

by Loretta Tóth

AS LONG AS WE TREAT CARBON AS FREE GOODS, WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2050, RAEKWON CHUNG, BOARD DIRECTOR OF BAN KI-MOON FOUNDATION FOR A BETTER FUTURE, FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CLIMATE INNOVATION CENTRE AT TASHKENT STATE UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS IN UZBEKISTAN, TOLD EURASIA MAGAZINE.

– You have been dealing with climate change for more than three decades: as South Korea’s first ambassador responsible for climate change and principal advisor to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, you have been participating in international negotiations on climate change since 1991. Additionally, you contributed to the IPCC’s (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) special report on technology transfer and received a personal copy of the Nobel Peace Prize 2007 awarded to the IPCC. How did it feel to receive this recognition for your persistent and effective work?

– I was one of the lead authors of the report for which the IPCC won the Nobel Peace Prize; the majority of the leading authors were researchers, professors or scientists, while I was a diplomat, so contributing to this kind of report was not part of my routine work at all. I was invited, not because I was a

diplomat, but because I came up with a new idea that would significantly facilitate technology transfer between developed and developing countries.

– Today you are known to be one of the most prominent thinkers on climate change, having pioneered the concept of green growth. You argue that the green economy is not just about fighting for the climate and the planet, but also about economic growth, profitable exports, and new jobs at the same time. If it has so many advantages, why isn’t the concept more widely supported?

– A very good question. I pioneered the idea of Green Growth as a new paradigm in 2005 to present the mitigation of CO₂ as an opportunity for economic growth and job creation. Since then Green Growth has been gradually accepted by many countries and institutions around the world.

“We

Individual consumers concerned about climate must be given the opportunity to contribute directly to reversing climate change

Unfortunately, however, the concept of green growth remained largely on the planning table. The reason for this is that, although the results of measures supporting green growth become tangible in the long term, the investments and measures that serve this need have to be made in the short term.

– Why are policy innovations such as green growth and new climate economy becoming important components of your strategic thinking?

– The global debate on climate change action is mainly focused on the energy transition and technological innovations. We therefore leave the root cause of climate change untouched. The root of the climate crisis lies in the free market system, which treats carbon as a free good. Therefore, internalising the carbon price into the market price has to be the core of our climate action. Over the past three decades, we have focused on promoting green energy transition and technological innovations, but no tangible results have been achieved in internalising

the carbon price into our market price. This is because there is a fear that pricing carbon will cause huge damages to economic growth, and this fear has prevented us from seriously tackling the problem. This is why I have focused on promoting green growth and the new climate economy: to diffuse the fear and spread the positive, encouraging message that carbon pricing can open up new opportunities for economic growth and job creation.

The author is an editor of Eurasia Magazine

An over-obsession with immediate returns on investment prevents action to ensure long-term returns on policy measures related to green growth.

Source: MNB

ASIA DOMINATES THE BATTERY MARKET

by Máté Litkei

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT OFFICIALLY APPROVED THE REGULATION THAT REQUIRES MAJOR CAR MANUFACTURERS TO ONLY SELL CLIMATE-NEUTRAL VEHICLES DURING THEIR OPERATIONS FROM 2035. THE UNDISCLOSED AIM OF THE MEASURE IS TO ACCELERATE THE TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THIS MEANS THAT THE NEED FOR BATTERIES WILL DRAMATICALLY INCREASE SOON.

The share of Asian companies is enormous in the battery production market. 92 per cent of the batteries produced for electric vehicles are produced by Asian companies, 56 per cent of the market is covered by Chinese companies, 26 perc cent by South Korean ones, and 10 per cent by Japanese companies. The largest manufacturer, China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology, alone accounts for a third of the global market, serving Tesla, Peugeot, Hyundai, Honda, BMW, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo, as well as Chinese factories.

The development of Chinese dominance was helped by the policies of the Beijing government. Over the past decade, tax breaks and almost $15 billion in direct support have been provided to the sector, thus ensuring the country’s technical superiority. The great advantage of value chains built by Chinese companies is that they have an abundant supply of metals essential for battery production.

The European Commission estimates that to cover the EU demand alone, the battery market requires 20-25 Gigafactories to be established in Eu-

rope. Another bottleneck for creating the entire battery value chain is the availability of raw materials. Currently, the EU is reliant on imports of primary battery raw materials from third countries.

By the end of the decade, Europe’s largest battery-producing country will also be Germany which is the strongest automotive industry. In addition to European investors, Tesla, and China’s CATL and SVOLT are also building factories in Germany.

Currently, less than one-sixth of the global battery production capacity is in Europe. By the end of the decade, this value may reach 20 per cent, which may be sufficient to meet the continent’s electric vehicle needs. Overall, it can be seen that Europe is currently competing with the USA for second place, not with China for first place.

The author is Director of Climate Policy Institute of Mathias Corvinus Collegium

TOP 10 EV BATTERY MANUFACTURERS IN 2022 AND THEIR MARKET SHARE

1. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (34%, China),

2. LG Energy Solution (14%, South Korea),

3. BYD Co. (12%, China),

4. Panasonic (10%, Japan),

5. SK Innovation (7%, South Korea),

6. Samsung SDI (5%, South Korea),

7. China Aviation Lithium Battery (4%, China),

8. Gotion High-Tech (3%, China),

9. Sunwoda Electronic Co (2%, China),

10. SVOLT Energy Technology (1%, China).

Photo: AFP/DPA, Julian Stratenschulte

Photo: AFP/ IMAGINECHINA, Land Xinchen

We must become INTERMEDIARIES

by Mariann Őry

Cooperation with Turkic states is a strategic advantage for Hungary

– How is cooperation with the region of the countries of the Organisation of Turkic States progressing?

– Every meeting, every new strategic document signed or even an informal conversation is another step towards deepening the relationship. The Council plays an increasingly important role in shaping our country’s external relations historically, culturally and economically in equal proportion. The government has recognised that Hungary being located here, right on the border between East and West, is a gift that we must exploit: we must become intermediaries, a transit country. This is in Hungary’s strategic interest. In this context, we need to strengthen our Eastern partnerships, or even revive our historical, kinship ties. And we have done just that.

– What role does Hungary play in the cooperation between the Turkic states and the EU?

Organization of Turkic States

HUNGARY IS SUCCESSFULLY COOPERATING WITH THE ORGANISATION OF TURKIC STATES, FORMERLY – AND STILL COMMONLY – KNOWN AS THE TURKIC COUNCIL, WHERE THE COUNTRY HAS OBSERVER STATUS. WE ASKED BALÁZS ORBÁN, THE PRIME MINISTER’S POLITICAL DIRECTOR, ABOUT THE STATE OF COOPERATION.

– Hungary can play a primarily bridging role between the region and the Western world. There are still many misunderstandings and prejudices about Central Asia and the Turkic countries, and overcoming these and raising the visibility of Turkic states is one of the most important tasks of the Budapest Representative Office. Moreover, the war in Ukraine has clearly enhanced the geostrategic role of the Turkic states. The land link between the industrial centres of East Asia and Europe is under threat from sanctions against Russia, and a new transport route is needed. This is what the Middle Corridor – which is also supported by the Turkic states – offers, reaching Europe via Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Turkey.

A new transport route is needed

– Energy supply is a burning issue for Europe. Are there opportunities in this area?

– Turkey, for example, is an indispensable partner: Hungary’s main natural gas route, the pipeline connecting it to Serbia, is supplied by gas from TurkStream. In addition, Central Asian and Caucasus partners have significant hydrocarbon reserves, and Turkey can provide vital assistance in accessing these. In addition, we will import green electricity from Azerbaijan in a few years.

The author is an editor of Eurasia Magazine

Source: Miniszterelnoki Kabinetiroda

Graphic: Alexandra Érsek-Csanádi

COULD CHINA WIN THE NEXT GENERATION 6G RACE?

by Joakim Scheffer

THE RACE FOR LAUNCHING A COMMERCIAL 6G NETWORK IS INTENSIFYING, WITH MORE AND MORE COUNTRIES GETTING INVOLVED. THE BIGGEST QUESTION IS WHETHER CHINA COULD WIN OR FALL BEHIND US ALLY SOUTH KOREA.

China is planning to roll out complete 6G mobile technology by early 2030, said China Unicom Chairman and Chief Executive Liu Liehong in late March. The country’s third-largest wireless network operator company expects to launch early applications early in 2025.

China is home to the world’s largest internet user population and smartphone market. Also, Beijing has been conducting research and development on the technology since 2019. It’s not a surprise that it has preceded its competitors. China was the first country to launch a 6G satellite into space in 2020, a massive technological breakthrough. Moreover, it has

already built the world’s largest 5G mobile network. Besides China, several countries – including India, Vietnam and Singapore – took significant steps in developing their own 6G networks.

Obviously, the United States can’t afford to lag behind China in this crucial area of the tech war between the two superpowers. In addition to the fact that Washington began to develop the technology at home, it spends billions of dollars to support its allies – mainly Japan and South Korea – to compete with China.

The author is a foreign policy journalist

Photo: iStock

DEVELOPING THE ROBOTICS INDUSTRY IN SHANGHAI

by Ildikó Nagy

Tackling the problem is complex, as ageing affects a wide range of areas, from birth rate trends to childcare, education, employment, healthcare and pensions, meaning that effective responses require strong leadership and comprehensive policy decisions.

Many countries in the East Asian region are struggling with the problem, including South Korea, Japan and China, which has a population of 1.4 billion. Over the past decade, China has introduced a two- and three-child policy, started to reform its pension system, and has taken numerous decisions to support youth and education.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digitalisation processes globally, and China is also placing increasing emphasis on developing the digital economy and the industrial application of technological innovations, which in the longer term could alleviate employment difficulties. In this spirit, Shanghai announced in January 2023

a plan for the development of the robotics industry, with plans to build ten leading robotics brands and create around 100 application areas by 2025. The developments will increase the size of the industry to RMB 100 billion (USD 14.75 billion). By integrating robots and artificial intelligence, and by applying intelligent robots in various industries, the plan will contribute to the objectives of improving the quality of local industry and could replace older workers with lower retraining potential who are leaving the labour market.

BY 2040, AROUND A THIRD OF CHINA’S POPULATION WILL BE OVER 60, AND A WIDE RANGE OF POLICY DECISIONS – FROM FAMILY ALLOWANCES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROBOTICS – ARE BEING TAKEN TO CURB THE TREND.

The author is International Advisor at Magyar Nemzeti Bank (the central bank of Hungary)

Photo: iStock

Photo: AFP/ Imaginechina, Jiang Xiaowei

Photo: AFP, Fred Dufour

EURASIA FORUM top quotes

The question of digital currency is a very important issue, as it may promote trade, investment and tourism significantly.

Zhou Xiaochuan Vice Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia, former Governor of PBOC

We need a just and sustainable transition, and it is the just part that we should not forget. We need to make sure that it is inclusive.

Chris Humphrey Executive Director of EU-ASEAN Business Council Domus Meriti Foundation

We think about culture as a mindset, as a way of life, as a way of thinking, that nurtures and gives bases for the economy.

János Csák Minister for Culture and Innovation, Hungary

Magical Hungarian past IN SHANGHAI

by Boglárka Barta

BY THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, SHANGHAI HAD GROWN INTO A GLOBAL CITY OF OVER A MILLION PEOPLE, WITH ITS PORT ACCOUNTING FOR NEARLY HALF OF CHINA’S FOREIGN TRADE. TWO HUNGARIAN ARCHITECTS, LÁSZLÓ HUDEC AND KÁROLY GONDA, HAD AN UNPARALLELED ROLE TO PLAY IN SHANGHAI’S RAPID TRANSFORMATION INTO THE “PARIS OF THE EAST”.

Born in Besztercebánya, László Ede Hugyecz, or as he is known in Shanghai and international literature, L. E. Hudec, was a well-known “star architect” of his time, who came to China from Russia as a prisoner of war. He arrived in Shanghai on 26 October 1918 with the help of the Danish mission. Hudec, who studied at the University of Budapest, was eventually hired by the American architect R. A. Curry, first as an architectural draftsman, then, after a few months, as office manager and later as associate architect. As Shanghai developed, their architectural firm soon became one of the most sought-after, and Hudec established a secure existence as a well-known and respected architect.

Hudec’s prestige is well illustrated by his appointment as Honorary Hungarian Consul in Shanghai in 1940. Despite increasing German pressure, he maintained his independence and, as president of the Hungarian (Aid) Association, helped the Hungarians, even at the risk of his own safety. He and his family were forced to flee the Chinese Communist takeover in January 1948. He left Shanghai and settled first in Europe and then in the United States. He died there in 1958, but was laid to rest in his homeland, Banská Bystrica (Besztercebánya).

László Hudec was the only foreigner to be selected as one of Shanghai’s 99 classic symbols. He designed more than a hundred buildings in the city, of which more than 30 have now been awarded the title of “significant listed building”. He worked in a wide variety of architectural styles, building classicist, eclectic, expressionist, art deco and modernist buildings, all of which have a unique harmony of art and functionality.

The author is a cultural journalist

THE WORLD OF NIGHT OWLS

In Shanghai, it’s not just architects who have found their calling. The Chinese metropolis was visited by visual and creative artists such as Dénes Holesch and László Tatz. The concertmaster of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra was Nándor Adler, a native of Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár), who, in addition to his official work, also regularly gave violin lessons in an orphanage. At the same time, the city, which was blooming at the beginning of the 20th century, also saw a mushrooming of nightclubs and ballrooms, mainly for the entertainment of the foreign elite.

Wukang Mansion by László Hudec

Photo: Wikipedia

Park Hotel, designed by László Hudec

Mu'en Church (Moore Memorial Church) by László Hudec

QUOTABLE JOHN VON NEUMANN

Thoughts of a Great Scientist – the John von Neumann Computer Society published a hardcover commemorative album with a biography of John von Neumann and quotes both in English and Hungarian, illustrated by rarely seen photos. Sometimes aphorismically concise - and easily quotable in a Neumann memoir, a study or a term paper - and sometimes in deeper lines of thought, we see the scientist's relationship to science, including the all-encompassing and meaningful mathematics, as well as economics, which became so important for him through his game theory, and the world of computers.

HIGHLIGHTS OF EURASIA

■ JVARI MONASTERY is a sixth-century Georgian Orthodox monastery near Mtskheta, eastern Georgia. Jvari is a rare case of an early medieval Georgian church that has survived to the present day almost unchanged.

■ TBILISI is the capital and largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the  Kura River with a population around 1.5 million people. Tbilisi was founded in the fifth century by  Vakhtang I of Iberia and since then has served as the capital of various Georgian kingdoms and republics.

PROGRAMMED GRAPHICS

Electrical engineer László Csízy's computer-generated artworks were exhibited in Szeged to mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of John von Neumann. The exhibition included a selection of his early works on the EMG-666 programmable calculator produced in Hungary in the 1970s and more recent works on a Macintosh computer.

■ UPLISTSIKHE is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia. Built on a high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran, as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture.

SCI-FI LITERATURE COMPETITION

In honour of the 120th anniversary of the birth of John von Neumann, the John von Neumann Computer Society and Hungarian sci-fi magazine Galaktika announced a competition for fiction works in the sci-fi genre, honouring the life's work of the Hungarian genius.

Photo: NJE

Photo: iStock

Photo:

Photo: iStock

Photo: NJE

Ralph C. Bryant

Governance for a Higgledy-Piggledy Planet

John Baylis–Patricia Owens–Steve Smith

Globalization of World Politics

Publisher: Brookings Institution Press

Publication date: 2020

ISBN: 978-0815738718

Pages: 188

According to the author - a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC.today there are many sources of conflict that challenge our world, and to overcome them, collective action has become increasingly necessary. Bryant lists several crises, such as climate change, mass migration or the COVID-19 pandemic, to which he believes that the joint response of national governments is far from effective. Bryant also highlights the extremes of the overly conservative patriotic and cosmopolitan vision, which contrast sharply with each other and which preclude the possibility of cooperation. According to Bryant, if common coordination and cooperation across national borders is not achieved in the future, it could become very problematic to tackle crises.

Published by: Oxford University Press

Year of publication: 2023

ISBN: 978-0192898142

Pages: 610

The Globalization of World Politics is one of the most widely taught and successful introductory textbooks for university political science and international relations (IR) courses worldwide. Its 9th edition has been released last month. The pedagogical features of the volume, such as its easy-to-understand but academic wording, multidisciplinary approach, lists of key points, case studies and questions, debating features and end-of-chapter questions, visualisation for comprehension, and recommended literature, help readers to evaluate key IR debates and apply theory and IR concepts to real-life events. The Globalization of World Politics is, therefore, an excellent, practical and thought-provoking reference work for both those studying the international system and globalisation and those seeking to be better informed about everyday news.

MEN’S HEADGEAR IN CENTRAL ASIA

by Szabolcs Veres

FOR PEOPLE IN CENTRAL ASIA ABOVE A CERTAIN AGE, THE HAT IS MORE THAN JUST A HEAD COVERING THAT PROTECTS THE HEAD FROM THE SUN AND RAIN OR KEEPS IT WARM WHEN NEEDED. IN CENTRAL ASIA, HEADGEAR IS A STATUS SYMBOL AMONG MEN, AS IT WAS IN THE PAST.

TELPEK

The Turkmen are most easily recognised by their large, woolly skins. The hats, usually made of black sheepskin, are shaggy and surprisingly practical. Younger people wear white telpeks, while older people wear grey or black ones. The practical advantage of traditional headgear plays a role here, as it has heat-insulating properties that are of great importance in Turkmenistan, as the country’s geographic location means that temperatures are often extreme in both winter and summer.

AK-KALPAK

The ak-kalpak or kalpak takes its name from the Kyrgyz word “ak” (white) and the Turkic word “kalpak” (hat, blanket). The Kyrgyz ak hats are more than just a hat. The shape and colour of the headgear symbolise the snow-capped peaks and the vitality of the mountainous country. The ak-kalpak is the most sacred part of the Kyrgyz national costume. According to UNESCO, there are more than 80 types of ak-kalpak. Although Kazakhs also often wear ak-kalpaks, they also make their national hats from fur and feathers.

THE SKULLCAP

The Uzbek skullcap, known as duppi (doppi, doppa), is not only a garment but also a part of Uzbek folk culture and is worn by men, women and children. These national headpieces are made of soft or hard material, decorated with embroidery or beads and have a round or square shape. Each region has developed its own style, which is passed down from generation to generation. Skullcaps are also worn in Tajikistan.

Make culture, NOT WAR

by David Bartosch

WE NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE USUAL MONOPOLY TO A CULTURAL FORM OF ECONOMY. ONLY THE LATTER CAN BE SUSTAINABLE BECAUSE IT IS BASED ON CULTURE IN ITS ORIGINAL SENSE. FOR CICERO, “CULTURA ANIMI” MEANT THE ACTIVITY OF GROWING OR ELEVATING THE LIFE PRINCIPLE.

But what is the Life Principle? We can explain it scientifically. Imagine a stone. Like all inanimate objects, as soon as we drop it, it follows the most direct, that is, the most energy-and time-efficient and therefore predictable path to the ground. This is the manifestation of the Principle of Least Action, the fundamental principle of physics. The Hungarian biologist Ervin Bauer showed that living beings follow a different rule. Imagine a butterfly. Although its movement is unpredictable, yet there is a subtle law demanding to avoid the path of direct fall, and regenerate the thermodynamic height above lethal equilibrium. Why? Because for us, for living beings, reaching the state of thermodynamic equilibrium means death. So we hover above it as high as we can.

Attila Grandpierre, to whom I owe these insights, calls this the Principle of Greatest Action. Only when the butterfly drops dead does it stop investing maximum energy, and thus the fall of its corpse becomes inertial and predictable. Anti-cultural business mimics this Death Principle by influencing the behavior of people and life forms in an increasing rate to follow the inertial path of least resistance.

There are so many ways to promote and recharge the energies of life instead of doing the opposite. Nature and true culture point to the Life Principle. It shouts all around us: Respect Nature! Promote life in all its forms! Listen to the Life Principle within you and others! We have no time to lose!

The author is a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Research Institute for Globalization and Cultural Development Strategies at Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai in China and a Researcher at the Budapest Centre for Long-term Sustainability.

The author is a researcher of the Eurasia Center of John von Neumann University

Photo: AFP, Vyacheslav

Oseledko

Photo: iStock

Photo: iStock

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“It is manifestly clear that all Western sanctions have been accelerating the transition from an Atlantic Age to the Age of Eurasia”

(György Matolcsy: On the Edge of Times – The Rerun of the 1940s and the 1970s, 2022)

Eurasia covers around 55 million square kilometres, or around 36.2 percen of the Earth's total land area. The landmass contains well over 5 billion people, equating to approximately 70 percent of the human population.

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