Following its launches in Hungary and the United States, Balázs Orbán’s book Hussar Cut: The Hungarian Strategy for Connectivity has now come out in China.
‘The cooperation between China and Hungary is growing stronger—economically, politically, and culturally,’ said Balázs Orbán, the political director of the Hungarian prime minister, at the book launch event, which took place in Beijing. He emphasized that the book’s reception in China reflects the unprecedented high point in relations between the two countries, which are celebrating their 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.
In his speech at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Orbán explained that the title ‘Hussar Cut’ symbolises the turbulent times in which the book was written, a period requiring courage and adaptability for any nation, including Hungary, to succeed. ‘This means that Hungary needs to follow a strategy akin to the Hussar cut—swift, decisive, and courageous,’ he elaborated.
Addressing the changing world order, Orbán remarked that the West is no longer the sole dominant power, with the East rising steadily. He noted that while Western countries account for 30 per cent of the global economy, Eastern nations now represent 35 per cent.
In the book, Orbán uses the metaphor of an arch supported by two stone pillars to describe Hungary’s vision of the evolving geopolitical order. ‘Hungary stands in the middle of the arch, connecting the two pillars and providing stability to the entire structure. This concept underpins everything we do and encapsulates the role Hungary seeks to play as a bridge between Asia and Europe,’ he said.
Reflecting on the event, Orbán told MTI that the Chinese reception of the book highlights an interest in Hungary§s foreign policy strategy, which is based on connectivity. He stressed that Hungary rejects the bloc mentality and Cold War logic that have re-emerged in recent years. ‘We are promoting economic neutrality, which means making decisions about trade, investments, and technology solely based on our national interests. This approach is already driving significant economic development,’ he noted. ‘Hungary’s independent and sovereign policies are increasingly recognized internationally, providing a distinct and independent voice within various frameworks,’ he added.
Chao Jie-min, Secretary General of CASS, remarked that the book demonstrates shared development philosophies between Hungary and China, making them strong partners in modernisation efforts. ‘We hope the publication of the book Hussar Cut in Chinese will foster greater understanding of Hungarian strategic thinking among Chinese and European scholars,’ Chao said in his opening remarks.
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