Parliament official holds talks in Beijing

Beijing (MTI) – Zsolt Németh, head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, discussed US-China ties as well as relations between China and central and eastern Europe with officials in Beijing on Friday.

Németh held talks with his Chinese counterpart, the deputy foreign minister and the head of the foreign affairs cabinet of the Communist Party of China.

Speaking to MTI about his talks, Németh said China is not concerned about what its relations with the US will be like under Donald Trump’s presidency, although Chinese leaders are prepared for a period of uncertainty.

Like Hungary, China also expects US foreign policy to be less ideology-based and more pragmatic under the new administration, Németh said. This could present both Hungary and China with new opportunities, he said. China considers it important that the world should move towards a more multi-polar order. European-Chinese relations will play a key role in this world order, he added.

Németh said Chinese leaders are “very open” to deepening ties with Europe. The country is hopeful of gaining market economy status from the EU, Németh said, noting that the EU is not yet willing to grant China this. Németh noted that Hungary supports giving the status to China, adding that Budapest has high hopes that the EU will eventually declare China a market economy.

On the subject of China’s New Silk Road strategy aimed at linking China with Europe through Central and Western Asia, Németh underlined the importance of central and eastern European countries having joined this initiative.

Németh said that thanks to the China-CEE cooperation framework, central and eastern European countries can now count on China’s help in developing the region’s infrastructure. He said the China-CEE partnership was in line with Hungary’s central Europe policy, adding that Hungary would be the first CEE country to enter into bilateral talks at the highest level on the New Silk Road strategy.

Source: MTI