The transformations spurred by the election are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. This year’s contest was less dramatic than earlier ones and the outcomes were more incremental.

The 2024 Trilateral Summit marked a significant step in Northeast Asian diplomacy by reestablishing high-level cooperation among China, Japan, and South Korea after a period of interruptions. Despite underlying tensions and complex historical grievances, the summit underscored the importance of pragmatic, issue-specific collaboration and highlighted a strategic pivot towards bilateral engagements as a means to foster regional stability and economic integration.

The two countries seek to show their commitment to advancing European sovereignty. Unfortunately, the United States will not allow it, as it believes greater autonomy for Europe would diminish NATO’s influence across the continent.

Facing a choice of autonomy or continued dependence on the United States, some factions on the continent seek to avoid that stark choice. In pursuit of a European pillar within NATO, the EU appears to be navigating a middle path.

Hungary's strategic partnership with China represents a bold pivot aimed at enhancing its geopolitical and economic standing amidst an era of great power competition. But to safeguard itself from geopolitical storms Hungary aims to work within the EU and punch above its weight to catalyze European strategic autonomy.

To revitalize innovation and build confidence in the private sector, the two countries should collaborate, from the Middle East to Africa, in unconventional ways. This would not only provide new business scenarios but would also offer an integrated solution for global governance going forward.

China is deeply intertwined with Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries. It is contributing to regional security and will be one of the major sources of the region’s future wealth. And, unlike the West, it will always respect the way of life in the region, including the dominant religion.

Despite their positive aspects, globalization, multi-polarization and technological advancement come with pronounced negatives that pose challenges to the post-Cold War world order. The only way forward is for the West to cooperate with China and engage in active and candid dialogue.

The wisdom in China’s major-country diplomacy serves as a rudder in China-Russia relations. It is also the anchor that stabilizes relations with others, including the United States and European Union.

Sustainable peace in the Middle East — in particular between Israel and the Palestinians — will require meaningful change in Palestine’s status: Its sovereignty must be established and recognized. A unified push by China and the United States to that end would be an important guarantor of success.