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Hungary

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hungary. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Budapest

Head of State

President Tamás Sulyok

Head of Government

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived a no-confidence vote amid far-right tensions and corruption allegations. Photo: EPA

European Union

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen easily survives parliament no-confidence vote

EU lawmakers dismissed allegations against Ursula von der Leyen regarding private text messaging with Pfizer’s CEO, misuse of funds, and election interference.

7 minutes ago

Belt and Road Initiative

China to speed up bullet-train connectivity with neighbours

8 Jul 2025 - 8:08PM

European Union

Biggest-ever Budapest Pride defies Orban ban in Hungary

29 Jun 2025 - 4:30AM

Ukraine war

EU leaders agree to prolong sanctions on Russia for 6 months

Decision includes the freezing of more than US$234 billion in Russian central bank assets and will remain in force until at least early 2026.

27 Jun 2025 - 2:09PM

The EU’s 27 leaders on Thursday agreed to extend sanctions on Russia for another six months. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Rare earths, Taiwan discussed as Wang Yi meets EU envoys at Polish embassy

Gathering comes ahead of European leaders’ summit in Beijing with President Xi Jinping to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties.

26 Jun 2025 - 10:10PMvideocam

India

India, Poland and Hungary make space flight comeback with Axiom mission to ISS

Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla is the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma, who took part in a Soviet-led initiative in 1984.

26 Jun 2025 - 5:54PMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

By air, land and sea, nations race to evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran

Caught between warring nations, thousands of foreign nationals are being moved out of Israel and Iran in complex logistical operations.

20 Jun 2025 - 11:34AM

Bulgarian citizens evacuated from Israel, along with dozens of foreign nationals from Slovenia, the US, Belgium, Albania, Kosovo and Romania, arrive in Sofia. Photo: AP

US-China trade war

Why Chinese firms building foreign factories are no longer focused on US market

Countries like Brazil, Serbia, Hungary and Saudi Arabia have become top choices for Chinese companies looking to explore other markets.

15 Jun 2025 - 11:00AM

US-China relations

Opinion | Why shutting out Chinese manufacturers is a missed opportunity

It’s a matter of time before Chinese products find their way into the markets anyway – trade barriers achieve very little without industrial policy.

13 Jun 2025 - 5:30PMvideocam

China-EU relations

‘Irresistible trend’: why Chinese firms are rushing to open factories in Hungary

Hungary’s cheap wages, big subsidies and pro-Beijing stance are attracting a wave of Chinese companies looking to expand into Europe.

10 Jun 2025 - 6:27PM

United States

US hits ICC judges with sanctions over Israel, Afghanistan cases

Washington targets four judges with travel bans and asset freezes; ICC condemns move.

6 Jun 2025 - 2:13PM

The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. File photo: AP

China-EU relations

A tale of two cities: why views of China differ so much in Barcelona and Prague

The stark contrast between Spain’s wish for close economic ties and Czech suspicion highlights the growing divide within the EU over China.

4 Jun 2025 - 12:27AMvideocam

China-Russia relations

China, Russia ‘fighting together’ against terror and other threats: Chen Wenqing

The Chinese security chief was in Moscow for the 10th meeting of the two countries’ law enforcement and security mechanism.

30 May 2025 - 2:59PMvideocam

China-EU relations

‘There are limits’: the problems with China’s bid to patch things up with Europe

They may be stuck in a stalemate, with Beijing unlikely to yield on demands to intervene in Russia’s war on Ukraine or change economic model.

27 May 2025 - 3:33AMvideocam

China economy

Opinion | In picking Hong Kong over New York, CATL’s IPO was a strategic move

CATL’s geopolitical moves, from spurning Wall Street to partnering Indonesia’s green transition, speak volumes about the future of competition.

25 May 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

CATL’s headquarters in Ningde, Fujian province, China, on February 6. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD overtakes Tesla in Europe for the first time as sales jump 169% in April

Shenzhen-based BYD sold 7,231 battery electric vehicles in April versus 7,165 by Tesla, according to data from Jato Dynamics.

23 May 2025 - 1:01PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | CATL’s debut a sign that Hong Kong’s IPO market is roaring back

The world’s biggest listing so far this year has propelled the city back to the top spot in global equities fundraising.

22 May 2025 - 8:15AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Chinese investments in Europe have increased for first time since 2016

After a significant cooling in investment activity there was a 47 per cent rise last year to €10 billion, according to a new report.

21 May 2025 - 6:01AMvideocam

Hungary was the destination for 31 per cent of all Chinese investment in Europe last year. Photo: Shutterstock

IPO

Hong Kong regains No 1 spot in global fundraising on CATL’s US$5.2 billion IPO

EV battery maker’s shares advance 16.4 per cent to close at HK$306.20 on the first day of trading in the city.

21 May 2025 - 12:36PMvideocam

Romania

Romanian centrist Nicusor Dan wins presidency over hard-right pro-Trump rival

Bucharest mayor made last-minute dash to top in recent days after weeks of trailing George Simion, who conceded defeat late on Sunday.

19 May 2025 - 2:36PM

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong IPOs on track to make May a merry month

As firms line up to enter Hong Kong’s market for initial public offerings, estimates suggest the city may rank among the top three global venues this year.

17 May 2025 - 6:45AM

A model of CATL’s second-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery is displayed during CATL Tech Day ahead of the Shanghai Auto Show in Shanghai on April 21. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

‘Red line’: Hungary vows it won’t decouple from China if pushed by Trump

‘Hungary is benefiting from these very intensive Chinese economic and trade relations. We’re not willing to give that up’: Budapest official.

15 May 2025 - 7:01PMvideocam

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban may have to choose for his country to side with either Trump’s US or valued investment partner China. Photo: dpa

IPO

Chinese EV battery giant CATL launches US$5.3 billion Hong Kong IPO

Listing is expected to be the largest in Hong Kong since Kuaishou Technology raised US$6.2 billion in January 2021.

12 May 2025 - 5:19PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Budapest expels 2 after Ukraine says it uncovered Hungarian spy network

Kyiv said the two suspects were former members of Ukraine’s military who were recruited by a handler in Hungarian military intelligence.

9 May 2025 - 9:40PMvideocam

Pope Francis

Black smoke: cardinals fail to elect new pope in first conclave vote

133 electors from 70 countries are under lockdown as they vote for the Catholic Church’s 267th pontiff.

8 May 2025 - 3:42AMvideocam

Black smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Taiwan

My Take | Western media ignore crackdown on opposition in Taiwan by Lai

Mainstream reporting targets illiberal regimes in Europe, but favours the island leader and his pro-US, independence-seeking government.

2 May 2025 - 9:00PM

Crowds flood into Ketagalan Boulevard for an opposition rally in Taipei on Saturday. Photo: CNA

Guinness World Records

Wiener wonderland: hundreds of dachshunds chase record in Hungary

500 dachshunds were present – enough to set a Hungarian record, but still short of the Guinness mark set in Regensburg.

1 May 2025 - 10:55PM

Music

Secret message discovered in violin reveals its Nazi camp origins

Art dealers found that a skilfully crafted violin they had long owned was made by a Jewish prisoner at the Dachau Nazi concentration camp.

1 May 2025 - 11:15AM

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