Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Position of Hungary within the "16+1

Abstract

Te main purpose of the paper is to objectively analyze geopolitical and geoeconomic position of Hungary within the China + 16 Central and Eastern European countries (“16+1”) framework of cooperation. We will do this by using the content method analyses, interviews with relevant experts in the field and approaches which stem from geopolitical and geoeconomic thoughts. Primary data sources will be the official documents released and/or bilaterally signed by China, Hungary, European Union (EU) and the guidelines of the “16+1”. Te second source will be academic and other publications that are related to the proposed subject. Te paper shall consist of three parts. Te first part will tackle Chinese reasons for pursuing multilateralism and regionalism in foreign policy, as a new understanding of security architecture, geopolitical balance of power, and geoeconomic distribution of wealth. Inevitably, we must analyze the Hungarian perception of institutional and international order which China builds independently from the American one. Te second part will tackle the process of ‘ frameworking’ of the “16+1”. Analyzing the Hungarian position within the “16+1”, we will understand what kind of tools China uses to achieve its goals among Central and Eastern European Countries. Simultaneously, this can be helpful to see if and how China is imposing the “wall” in the Old continent. Te third part will be dedicated to the Hungarian possibilities to use the trade and investment opportunities that China offers. Hungary, as an EU member state, must respect EU regulations which stipulate a different kind of business culture than pursued by China. In this part we will combine Chinese, Hungarian, V4’s and the point of view of the EU.