BEIJING, May 10, 2024
/CNW/ -- China and Hungary decided on Thursday to elevate
bilateral relations to an "all-weather comprehensive strategic
partnership for the new era."
The decision was announced during the talks between visiting
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hungarian Prime Minister
Viktor Orban.
Pushing bilateral relations to new heights, the two leaders
affirmed that the decision has charted the course for the future
development of China-Hungary relations, and will inject new and
powerful impetus into bilateral cooperation and create a better
future for the two peoples.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, Xi called on the two countries to
continue to be good friends with mutual trust and good partners for
win-win cooperation.
'All-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new
era'
Ahead of his visit to Hungary,
Xi had a signed article published in the Hungarian newspaper Magyar
Nemzet, where he said the bilateral relationship is at its best in
history, and has embarked on a golden voyage.
The bilateral trade volume in 2023 reached $14.52 billion, an increase of 73 percent
compared with that in 2013, according to the China-Hungary
Investment and Cooperation Report. Meanwhile, China's direct investment in Hungary reached 7.6
billion euros in 2023, accounting for 58 percent of
Hungary's total foreign direct
investment.
Hungary is the first European
country to sign a Belt and Road cooperation document with
China. In recent years, the Belt
and Road Initiative has synergized more closely with Hungary's Eastern Opening strategy, enhancing
bilateral practical cooperation in trade, investment, finance and
other areas.
Last December, Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD announced to
build its first European new energy passenger vehicle factory in
Hungary, which Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Trade Peter Szijjarto described as
"one of the most significant investments in Hungary's economic history."
Chinese modernization will surely bring more opportunities to
Hungary and other countries in the
world, Xi told Orban, adding that Hungary is welcomed to be China's companion on its path to Chinese
modernization.
During a meeting with Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok on Thursday, Xi said China is willing to work with Hungary to promote greater synergy between
Chinese modernization and Hungary's Eastern Opening strategy,
continuously lead in the right direction of the Belt and Road
cooperation as well as cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European
countries, and to deepen and substantiate bilateral
cooperation.
Cementing China-Hungary friendship
People-to-people connectivity is an endless source of strength
for China-Hungary relations, Xi stressed in the signed
article, adding that the more exchanges between the two peoples,
the stronger the foundations of the friendship will be.
Ahead of the Spring Festival of 2023, two students of the
Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school in Budapest wrote a letter to Xi and his wife,
Professor Peng Liyuan, conveying their New Year's greetings and
expressing their willingness to study in Chinese universities.
In his reply, Xi encouraged Hungarian youths to learn more about
China and become envoys of the
China-Hungary friendship.
Hungarian language courses are included in the curriculum at
many Chinese universities. Meanwhile, the Confucius Institutes and
Confucius Classrooms, where students can learn Chinese, are gaining
popularity and participation in Hungary.
Exchanges and mutual visits at the sub-national level are
growing as well. Direct passenger flights reach double digits per
week and measures to facilitate two-way travels are in place,
delivering substantial results.
Xi called on both sides to continue to support the teaching of
their respective languages, and encourage more communication and
interactions between peoples and institutions from the two
countries.
Emphasizing that China's
development is an opportunity rather than a risk to Europe, Orban told Xi that the Hungarian side
does not identify with the rhetoric of so-called "overcapacity" or
"de-risking."
"Hungary's determination to
deepen cooperation with China is
unwavering and will not be disturbed by any force," he said.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-05-10/China-Hungary-outline-new-blueprint-for-cooperation-development--1ttv3ZdOCfC/p.html
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SOURCE CGTN