European Right-Wing Populist Parties’ Approach toward China: Between Anti-Globalization and Appeal for Diversified International Partnerships

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine questions that have not yet been researched thoroughly: how are the positions of the RRPs on China shaping and changing, what causes such differing positions on China among these RPPs, and have there been any changes in their approach to China in the times of COVID-19? This paper aims to answer these questions by analyzing the policies toward China of said political parties (primarily, the Hungarian Fidesz, Italian Lega Nord, French Rassemblement National, but also parties such as the British UKIP, the PiS, Dutch PVV, and the German AfD). The paper underlines that RPPs’ policies on China are formulated basing on what they perceive the development of international politics can do “for the people”. Their attitudes depend mainly on their stance toward free-market globalization, their need for alternatives in relations with the US and the EU, and their axiological perception of China.