On the 11th local time, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, held talks with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó in Budapest. He expressed hope that Hungary will continue to play an active role in promoting cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries as well as the development of China-EU relations.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Wang Yi said that China and Hungary enjoy a traditional friendship. Under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, both sides adhere to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and have established an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, becoming a model of a new type of international relations. Chinese enterprises investing and creating businesses in Hungary have strongly promoted Hungary’s economic development and improvement of people’s livelihoods, bringing tangible benefits to its people. Facts have proven that friendship and cooperation between China and Hungary fully serve the fundamental interests of Hungary and its people, and are also conducive to the healthy development of China-EU relations. The Chinese side appreciates Hungary’s friendly policy towards China, and is willing to continue to mutually support each other in safeguarding legitimate rights and interests, and to always be a reliable strategic partner in Hungary’s development and revitalization process.
Wang Yi stated that in the past year, the Chinese economy has forged ahead under pressure and achieved its expected growth targets, moving towards new and improved directions. This year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. China will promote high-quality development and high-standard opening-up, and welcomes Hungary and other countries to share in new opportunities for development. Both sides should make good use of mechanisms and platforms such as the Joint Economic Committee and Science and Technology Cooperation Committee, expand cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, and new energy, and help upgrade their respective industries.
The Chinese government supports more enterprises to invest and do business in Hungary, and believes that Hungary will provide a better business environment and more policy support. Hungarian friends are welcome to make use of the visa-free policy and enjoy an impromptu trip to China, to personally experience the real, developing, progressive, and inclusive great country of the East.
Wang Yi said that in the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, fruitful results have been achieved in cooperation, fully proving that China is a partner, not a rival, an opportunity rather than a risk. He believes that, as time goes by, more and more European countries will come to recognize China as a reliable long-term cooperation partner. He hopes Hungary will continue to actively promote China-CEEC cooperation and the development of China-EU relations.
Szijjártó stated that no matter how the international situation changes, Hungary has always valued the friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation with China. In recent years, Chinese investment in Hungary has repeatedly set new records, contributing to Hungary’s technological innovation and economic growth, creating numerous jobs, and vigorously promoting the country's development.
Hungary is very proud to be one of the first European countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative. The Hungary-Serbia Railway is about to open for operation, and is believed to further promote regional connectivity. Currently, the international order is undergoing profound changes; as a major global power, China’s status and role are crucial. Hungary supports President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative and is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations. Hungary will continue to actively promote the healthy development of China-EU relations.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international and regional issues of common concern.