In a rare opportunity to directly affect European Union policy priorities, China is about to assume the EU presidency.

OK, that’s only half true. Hungary is actually assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union. But because Hungary is essentially a Chinese colony in Europe, this is a big opportunity for Beijing. Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s political director excitedly reported a meeting on Wednesday between the prime minister and French President Emmanuel Macron, in which the two men discussed Hungary’s “priorities and goals” for its presidency.