Revealed: Washington’s biggest adversary likely to visit Budapest for talks with PM Orbán
The intensifying rivalry between the US and China for global supremacy is reaching new heights, with both parties keen on rallying international support in what some are calling a modern-day “Cold War” era. However, PM Orbán and his administration beg to differ. Despite escalating tensions, Hungary aims to position itself as a mediator between these two superpowers. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Chinese leader Xi Jinping is anticipated to come for an official visit to Budapest this May, ahead of the EU and municipal elections.
PM Orbán’s vision: Hungary as a bridge between East and West
PM Orbán envisions Hungary as the pivotal link between Eastern and Western influences. He advocates for Budapest to maintain good relationships not only with the EU and the USA but also with the prominent powers forming the emerging “Eastern bloc,” including China, India and Russia.
In 2010, the Orbán cabinet announced the “Eastward Opening” initiative, aimed at exploring business prospects and fostering collaboration, such as in higher education, with Asian and African nations. Presently, the Hungarian government’s messaging consistently underscores the need for NATO and the EU to pursue peace and reconciliation in Ukraine, rather than endorsing Kyiv with financial aid and weaponry in its struggle against the Russian invasion. However, this stance is perceived by many in the West as pro-Russian.
PM Orbán has previously endorsed Donald Trump, with the two leaders meeting up in Florida in March. Despite Trump’s advocacy for more stringent anti-China policies, the pair maintains a strong collaborative dynamic. Trump regularly praises Orbán, and vice versa. Orbán pins his hopes on Trump’s reelection, believing it to be pivotal in normalising US-Hungarian relations. Nevertheless, how their “friendship” will work is a fair question, provided Trump enacts harsh anti-Beijing measures during his second presidency.
Will President Xi make an appearance in Hungary?
According to Szabad Európa, Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit multiple European countries in May. Based on two sources of the news outlet, the President will come to Hungary following visits to France and Serbia.
Xi is scheduled to touch down in France on 5th May, followed by a subsequent trip to Belgrade two days later. Serbian President Vučić mentioned the visit in February without elaborating on an exact date.
Xi’s previous visit to Hungary occurred in 2009 when he held the position of Vice President of China. He was received by Hungarian President László Sólyom and PM Gordon Bajnai, during which they signed 15 bilateral agreements.
His most recent encounter with PM Orbán was in 2023 in Beijing, during which Xi affectionately referred to Orbán as his friend. He also hinted at commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Hungary, suggesting that this milestone could elevate bilateral relations to the next level.
Major Chinese projects advance slowly in Hungary
Two months later, in December, it was announced that Chinese electric car giant BYD would establish the world’s biggest manufacturing plant in Szeged, Southern Hungary.
Another Chinese mega-project in Hungary is the Belgrade-Budapest railway construction and renewal project, which started in 2014 with an initial completion deadline of 2017. However, progress has been sluggish, with relevant details shrouded in secrecy.
Nonetheless, Investigate Europe noted that the investment will only become profitable after 979 years. The 160-kilometres-long Hungary section will cost HUF 750 billion (EUR 2.5 billion), with 85% of that sum being a Chinese state loan to Hungary.
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That Xi would pick both Hungary and Serbia to visit speaks volumes about what those two countries are and are up to. Completely contrary to the phony declarations by Orban of how he opposes the world splitting into blocs, Hungary is a member of an informal axis of authoritarian states led by Russia and China which includes a number of central Asian states as well as Iran and North Korea.
Co-existence is better than war. Good relations with all nations will help trade. The US/Hungary problem can easily be solved, fire Pressman. Hungary, like Switzerland should practice neutrality. Now, many ethnic Hungarians live in Serbia. The ethnic Hungarians are happy to be dual citizens because they are not oppressed like in Ukraine. The ethnic Hungarians are not impoverished like in Ukraine. the Hungarian government does not need to send food for Hungarians living in Serbia like in Ukraine.
Budapest, Hungary – an integral of major importance location on the New Silk Road – the meeting of the East and the West.
It’s plan, the joint plan, by Rail or Air development facilities already commenced, the partnership of China & Hungary, that will allow LARGER movement of Chinese merchandise and products into and permit them entry access to wider markets throughout Europe.
Numbers of Human Chinese spreading in and throughout Europe, we know over just take the last 20 years what has occurred, and this New Silk Road, will be an added point of entry for the Chinese to come.
So far the EU betrayed Hungary because Hungary does not wish to be ruled by socialist and globalists. Hungary has never dealt with the Chinese. The Chinese could not be much worse than the EU. At least the Chinese did not wish to flood Hungary with uneducated, criminal, terrorist illegal aliens. The aliens crossing the country in 2015 robbed villagers, threatened and attacked women and left enough garbage behind that it took weeks and month to clean up.
I’ll take peacemakers over warmongers every time. Keep up the righteous fight, Viktor!