The escalation of conflict in the Middle East is rapidly evolving into a systemic geopolitical and economic shock. Beyond its immediate regional implications, the crisis is disrupting global energy flows, trade corridors, and financial markets, while accelerating the fragmentation of the international system. For Europe, the crisis underscores structural vulnerabilities such as energy dependence, fragile supply chains, and limited strategic autonomy. China, meanwhile, is navigating the crisis by safeguarding its energy security and economic interests while positioning itself diplomatically as a stabilizing actor.

This conference brings together leading policymakers, academics, and industry experts to assess how global actors are responding to the crisis and how these responses are reshaping the future of Sino–European relations. By linking geopolitical developments with economic and technological dimensions, the event aims to provide actionable insights for decision-makers in Europe and beyond.

Organizers: Center for International Economy, Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) & China–CEE Institute

Program

09:00 – 09:30 | Registration & Coffee

09:30 – 09:40 | Opening Remarks

Krisztián László – Director of International Relations, Mathias Corvinus Collegium

Tian Huifang – Research Director, China–CEE Institute

 

09:40 – 10:40 | Panel 1: Systematic shock or managed crisis

Kong Yuan – Senior Researcher, Institute of European Studies, CASS

Misa Djurkovic – Head of the MCC–MKI Center for Geopolitics

Wang Yongzhong – Professor and Director, Department of International Commodities, Institute of World Economics and Politics, CASS

Moderator: Levente Horváth – Head of the Center for Asian-Hungarian Relations, MCC

 

10:50 – 11:50 | Panel 2. Trade Routes under Stress: The End of Cheap Globalization? 

Ádám Kerényi – Researcher, ELTE Centre for Social Sciences

John F. M. Kocsis – Co-Founder, Foxbat Media

Song Lifang – Professor and Director, China–Hungary Civilization Exchange Research Center, Roland University

Tian Huifang – Research Director, China–CEE Institute

Moderator: Damille Devenyi, Researcher at the Center for European Studies, MCC

11:55 – 12:55 | Break

 

13:00 – 14:00 | Panel 3. Soft power of China, cultural exchanges between Europe and China

David Pickus – Professor, American University in Vietnam

Dragana Mitrović – Head, Centre for Asian Studies, Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Belgrade

Mariana Nicolae – Professor Emerita, Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE)

Moderator: Csaba Moldicz – Head of the School of International Relations, MCC

 

14:10 -15:10 | Panel 4. Technology competition 

Csaba Moldicz – Head of the School of International Relations, MCC

Ferenc Bánhidi – Economist, China expert

Huang Xin – Researcher, Eulytix Research Institute

Zoltán Bayer – Senior logistics expert, Huawei

Moderator: John F. M. Kocsis – Co-Founder, Foxbat Media

 

15:10 – 15:20 | Closing Remarks 

Csaba Moldicz – Head of the School of International Relations, MCC