欧盟“刺头”匈牙利变天 全球极右翼受挫 Hungary's vote: A bellwether for global populism?

赖清德“借机”访非 是战术突围还是被矮化？Stowaway or state visit? Taiwan president’s Eswatini trip

经过一番波折，台湾总统赖清德 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/keywords/lai-qing-de?ref=article-bottom-keyword]于刚过去的周末（5月2日），在事前未公开行程的情况下，搭乘斯威士兰（Eswatini，台湾称史瓦帝尼）副总理的返国专机，抵达该国进行访问。 斯威士兰是承认“中华民国”国家地位的12个邦交国之一。赖清德原定于4月22日搭乘专机出访，出席斯威士兰国王加冕40周年庆典，但因专机航线必须途经的塞舌尔、模里西斯及马达加斯加临时取消飞行许可，导致行程暂缓。台湾官方表示，上述三国是受到了北京的施压。 赖清德最终抵达目的地并强调“台湾有权利走向世界 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260503-8989616]”。针对此次改变方式的出访，台湾官方将其定调为“外交突破”，而中国大陆方面则批评此举为“偷渡”与“窜访” [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260502-8988496]，大陆评论人胡锡进更形容他是“越狱”。 这次成功出访，算是台湾的一次外交突破，还是预示台湾面临更严峻的国际空间限缩？赖清德的返程路线将面临哪些现实挑战？此事又将如何影响即将登场的中美元首峰会？ 这期的早报播客《东谈西论 [https://www.zaobao.com/keywords/global-heartbeat]》，听主持人韩咏红 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/byline/han-yong-hong]与台湾政治大学兼任教授严震生，以及《联合早报》驻台北记者缪宗翰 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/byline/mou-zong-han]为您深度解析。 延伸阅读： * 胡锡进：赖清德以令人瞠目结舌方式从台湾越狱 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260503-8989455]  * 赖清德从斯威士兰返台经过五国上空 包括印马菲 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260505-8999852]  Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has completed a closely watched visit to Eswatini, the island’s only remaining diplomatic ally in Africa, underscoring Taipei’s shrinking international space amid pressure from Beijing. The trip, tied to celebrations marking King Mswati III’s 40th year on the throne, also drew sharp criticism from China, which derided it as a “stowaway-style” visit. Travel arrangements were reportedly complicated by airspace constraints, which Taiwan attributed to external pressure by China, though details remain unclear. During the visit, Lai met King Mswati III, reaffirmed bilateral ties, and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements. He emphasised Taiwan’s determination to maintain its international presence despite diplomatic isolation. China reiterated its opposition to any official exchanges with Taiwan, while the United States expressed support for Taiwan’s international engagement. The episode highlights how Taiwan’s limited diplomatic relationships are increasingly shaped by broader geopolitical tensions. Join host Han Yonghong with Yen Chen-shen, Adjunct Professor at National Chengchi University, and Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zong-Han Miaw as they examine what Lai’s African trip signals for Taiwan’s global standing. Hosted by Lianhe Zaobao’s Associate Editor, Han Yong Hong, Global Heartbeat is a Mandarin weekly news and current affairs podcast that is updated every Tuesday, 7.00 PM SGT. It is available on zaobao.sg, Apple Podcast, Spotify and other podcast platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

欧盟“刺头”匈牙利变天 全球极右翼受挫 Hungary's vote: A bellwether for global populism?

欧洲中部国家匈牙利于4月12日举行了国会选举 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/world/story20260413-8883154]。律师出身的青年政治人物彼得·马扎尔（Peter Magyar），领导蒂萨党（Tisza Party）取得压倒性胜利，一举推翻了原总理欧尔班长达16年的统治。 马扎尔是谁？他凭借什么创造了这次胜利？ 在欧洲，匈牙利不过是人口不足1000万的小国，这次选举却引起举世关注。它是否代表着全球右翼势力和民粹主义的一次挫折？美国副总统万斯在选前还专程到匈牙利为欧尔班助选 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/world/story20260407-8852512]，但欧尔班依然败阵，这又说明了什么？ 这期的早报播客《东谈西论 [https://www.zaobao.com/keywords/global-heartbeat]》，听主持人韩咏红 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/byline/han-yong-hong]与旅欧中国作家、国际政治研究者王庆民深度解析。 延伸阅读： * 王庆民：意识形态与国际博弈下的匈牙利大选 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/views/story20260420-8919202]  * 毕达：匈牙利变天 邻国庆幸 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/views/story20260415-8893529] In a stunning political upset, Hungary’s parliamentary election on April 12, 2026, ended Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. The opposition Tisza Party, led by Peter Magyar, won a landslide victory that is set to reshape Hungary’s political future and reverberate across Europe. The result came despite last-minute campaigning in Orbán’s favor by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, underscoring the international attention surrounding the race. For more than a decade, Orbán has been seen as the standard-bearer of Europe’s illiberal right, reshaping Hungary’s constitution, media landscape, and institutions. In 2022, the European Parliament described Hungary as a “hybrid regime of electoral autocracy,” arguing that it could no longer be considered a full democracy. Against that backdrop, Magyar’s rapid rise and Tisza’s breakthrough have stunned observers and raised broader questions about the direction of right-wing politics in Europe and beyond. Join us on this episode of Global Heartbeat, where host Han Yonghong and Europe-based political analyst and freelance writer Wang Qingmin examine what this historic result means for Hungary, the future of right-wing politics, and democracy in Europe. Hosted by Lianhe Zaobao’s Associate Editor, Han Yong Hong, Global Heartbeat is a Mandarin weekly news and current affairs podcast that is updated every Tuesday, 7.00 PM SGT. It is available on zaobao.sg, Apple Podcast, Spotify and other podcast platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

“习郑会”落幕 谁是赢家？Cheng Li-wun's China trip: Sweet deals or sugar-coated poison?

台湾最大在野党中国国民党主席郑丽文 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/keywords/zheng-li-wen]于星期天结束了为期六天的大陆行，并带回了来自北京的“十项惠台政策大礼包 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260412-8882449]”。 此趟行程，郑丽文先后走访上海、江苏与北京，不仅拜谒了南京中山陵、参访北京故宫及知名企业，更与中国大陆国家主席习近平举行会谈，全程受到高规格礼遇。 执政的民进党政府对此严厉抨击，批评郑丽文此行是迎合中共叙事，并指这十项惠台政策实为“糖衣毒药”，行政院院长卓荣泰更批郑丽文此举是“玩火玩过头” [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260411-8877726]。 本次大陆行，对郑丽文究竟是加分还是减分？这场政治博弈中，最终谁是赢家，又有哪些输家？郑丽文“登陆”的最终结果，又将对年底的台湾地方选举产生什么影响？ 这期的早报播客《东谈西论 [https://www.zaobao.com/keywords/global-heartbeat]》，听主持人韩咏红 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/byline/han-yong-hong]与台湾致理科技大学国际贸易系副教授张弘远及《联合早报》中国新闻记者缪宗翰 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/byline/mou-zong-han]深入解析。 延伸阅读： * 特稿：习郑会民族叙事前置 北京柔性论述重塑对台框架 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260411-8878264] * 【视频】“习郑会” 谈中华与和平：两岸关系要“牢牢掌握在中国人手中” [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260410-8875110] A high-stakes political visit has just concluded, with Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun wrapping up her six-day trip to mainland China, including a high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first such visit by a sitting Kuomintang (KMT) chairperson in a decade. Her itinerary included Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing, with stops at Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum and the Palace Museum, as well as visits to Chinese companies. During the trip, Beijing announced 10 cross-strait measures aimed at boosting exchanges, trade and people-to-people ties, including support for tourism, transport, and Taiwanese farm and fishery products. Chinese state media described the package as a goodwill gesture for ordinary Taiwanese, while Taiwan’s Cabinet and Mainland Affairs Council warned that it was designed to deepen dependence and expand Beijing’s leverage. The response in Taiwan was sharply divided. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) accused Cheng of echoing Beijing’s narrative and recasting cross-strait relations on Beijing’s terms, while officials described the measures as “sugar-coated poison.” Taiwan’s government also stressed that any matters involving public authority must be handled through official, equal negotiations rather than party-to-party channels. The key question now is whether Cheng’s visit will strengthen the KMT’s claim that it can stabilise cross-strait ties, or instead deepen voter mistrust of engagement with Beijing ahead of Taiwan’s local elections. That debate will be explored in this episode of Global Heartbeat with host Han Yong Hong, Associate Professor Chang Hung Yuan from Chihlee University of Technology, and Lianhe Zaobao China News journalist Zong-Han Miaw. Hosted by Lianhe Zaobao’s Associate Editor Han Yonghong, Global Heartbeat is a weekly Mandarin news and current affairs podcast published every Tuesday. It is available on Lianhe Zaobao website and app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

“粉底液将军”招惹了谁？China: The ‘Pursuit of Jade’ controversy

由中国新生代艺人张凌赫 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/entertainment/story20260327-8796985]、田曦薇主演的40集古装爱情剧《逐玉》，今年3月开始播出后大受欢迎，全剧创下34亿播放流量，荣登2026年年度剧王。它还走入泰国、马来西亚、越南和印尼市场，成为当地热门娱乐新闻。 不过，《逐玉》也引来中国网民、地方宣传部门和其他官方媒体的集体讨伐。他们批评男主角张凌赫妆造过度精致，是“粉底液将军 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260327-8799237]”。中国解放军旗下的“钧正平工作室”在微博批评说：“军人，是民族精神的具象载体；是家国风骨、阳刚血性的核心象征。《逐玉》中的武安侯将军，却被塑造成涂脂抹粉、精致柔弱的偶像模样，带来的文化与精神危害不可小觑。”中国国家广播电视总局还召开电视剧健康审美座谈会 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260403-8836722]，不点名批判《逐玉》存在“颜值至上”、“颜值崇拜”的不良创作倾向。 《逐玉》已经落幕，为什么落幕后还继续引来舆论声讨？男性强调颜值，是一种文化和精神危害吗？这种争议又反映了怎样的社会氛围？ 这期的早报播客《东谈西论 [https://www.zaobao.com/keywords/global-heartbeat]》，听主持人韩咏红 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/byline/han-yong-hong]与华东师范大学传播学院新闻系副教授吴畅畅详细解析。 延伸阅读： * 下午察：“粉底液将军”的颜值风波 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260327-8802864] * 中国要求电视剧摒弃畸形审美 央媒批“粉底液将军” [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260404-8841803] China’s period romance Pursuit of Jade has become more than a TV hit, sparking debate over beauty, masculinity and state influence in popular culture. The 40-episode series, starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, premiered in March and quickly drew huge viewership across Asia. But the drama also faced backlash over its polished portrayal of a military hero. Online viewers mocked Zhang Linghe’s general as the “foundation general,” while a PLA-linked outlet criticised the show for weakening the masculine image of soldiers. Soon after, China’s broadcast regulator held a meeting on “healthy aesthetics,” warning against “appearance above all” and “idol worship,” in remarks widely seen as a veiled rebuke of the series. The controversy points to a wider tension in China: between youth-driven fandom culture and official efforts to promote tougher, more patriotic ideals of manhood. In this episode of Global Heartbeat, host Han Yonghong speaks with Associate Professor Wu Changchang of East China Normal University to unpack the debate. Hosted by Lianhe Zaobao’s Associate Editor, Han Yong Hong, Global Heartbeat is a Mandarin weekly news and current affairs podcast that is updated every Tuesday, 7.00 PM SGT. It is available on zaobao.sg, Apple Podcast, Spotify and other podcast platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

旧秩序瓦解 小国如何突围？ Singapore's foreign policy in uncertain times

随着二战后以规则为导向的国际秩序逐渐削弱，全球经济的相互依赖甚至开始被武器化，国际局势正变得更加错综复杂与不可预测。同时，美国和以色列对伊朗的打击引发了中东冲突 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/specials/middle-east-conflict]，不仅直接冲击了全球能源市场，也让多国的生存环境与经济面临严峻考验。 面对这个巨大且无法逆转的大环境变化，高度依赖开放贸易的新加坡也必须重新寻找航向。为此，新加坡政府积极拓展朋友圈，并不断提升与中国、日本和韩国等东北亚主要国家的战略与前瞻性合作伙伴关系。 在大国利益频频发生摩擦的背景下，新加坡未来的外交处境会有多困难？面对充满不确定性的新局势，新加坡又要如何做好准备勇往直前？ 这期的早报播客《东谈西论 [https://www.zaobao.com/keywords/global-heartbeat]》，听主持人韩咏红 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/producer/han-yong-hong]与外交部兼内政部高级政务部长沈颖 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/keywords/chen-ying]为您详细解析。 延伸阅读： * 沈颖：新加坡须扩大朋友圈 在亚细安以外加深与中韩日一体化 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260306-8692560] * 黄总理：我国液化天然气重要供应来源 新澳加强合作确保能源供应畅通 [https://www.zaobao.com.sg/finance/singapore/story20260323-8776601] As the post-World War II rules-based order comes under strain and economic interdependence is increasingly weaponised, the world is becoming more uncertain. The Middle East conflict has tightened global energy supplies and raised concerns about higher electricity and fuel costs, including in Singapore. For Singapore — a small, open economy reliant on trade — this shifting environment reinforces the need to diversify partnerships and strengthen cooperation with major Northeast Asian partners such as China, Japan and South Korea. But how hard will Singapore’s balancing act become as great-power rivalry intensifies, and how is it preparing for a more unpredictable world? In this episode of Lianhe Zaobao’s podcast Global Heartbeat, host Han Yong Hong speaks with Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Sim Ann about Singapore’s diplomatic strategy in a fast-changing world. Hosted by Lianhe Zaobao’s Associate Editor Han Yonghong, Global Heartbeat is a weekly Mandarin news and current affairs podcast published every Tuesday. It is available on Lianhe Zaobao website and app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast platforms. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.