Chinese President Xi Jinping has penned an opinion piece regarding Sino-Hungarian relations in a Hungarian daily magazine. “The friendship between China and Hungary resembles a fine Tokaj wine: aromatic, sweet, opulent and enduring,” he wrote on the brink of his forthcoming visit to Hungary.
As we reported, Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Budapest from 8th to 10th May upon the invitation of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and President Tamás Sulyok.
The visit aims to boost the economic and trade cooperation between the two nations through the Belt and Road Initiative. During the visit, 16 agreements will be signed, with another two currently under negotiations.
The president’s visit also has a symbolic significance: Hungary will be the first European country President Xi visits after the coronavirus pandemic.
Just before his arrival, Xi Jinping expressed his thoughts on Hungary and the Hungarian people in the pro-government right-wing conservative daily, Magyar Nemzet.
“I anticipate revisiting your nation to engage with my Hungarian friends in discussions concerning our friendship and collaboration, and to chart the course for the advancement of China-Hungary relations,” initiated the Chinese President.
Xi Jinping underlined his numerous encounters with Hungarian officials over the past fifteen years. He recalled that China and Hungary established diplomatic relations 75 years ago, noting that since then, “relations between the two nations have flourished in a balanced and wholesome manner, yielding significant accomplishments. Upholding the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, we regard each other as esteemed partners.”
Over time, Hungary and China “have fostered a high degree of mutual political trust, and bilateral relations have reached their zenith […].” Presently, economic ties are progressively deepening through the Belt and Road Initiative. The President highlighted investment, infrastructure development, finance, renewable energy and telecommunications as principal sectors where the two nations collaborate closely. He remarked:
“At present, Hungary stands as an important trading partner and the primary destination for Chinese investment in the Central and Eastern European region. The collaboration between the two nations is fruitful and full of vitality.”
Xi Jinping’s opinion piece extended beyond political relations
“Hungary is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and its illustrious and venerable people. It boasts a rich historical and cultural legacy,” he wrote. Regarding the Hungarian people, he remarked:
“The Hungarian people are hardworking, intelligent, open-minded and accepting. They dare to innovate and possess a wealth of inventive prowess.”
He also emphasised the significance of cultural cooperation between the two nations, noting that initiatives such as the establishment of cultural centres, Hungarian language courses at Chinese universities and the efforts of the Confucius Institute in Hungary all contribute to “facilitating human exchanges between the two nations.”
Xi Jinping outlined his vision for Chinese-Hungarian relations
President Xi articulated five pivotal steps crucial for achieving a higher level of strategic cooperation between China and Hungary:
- Sustaining amicable relations and fortifying the political foundation for bilateral ties. President Xi highlighted that “a high level of mutual political trust is an important pillar of Chinese-Hungarian relations. China is ready to […] work with the Hungarian [government to] consolidate the positive momentum of high-level exchanges, support the maintenance of regular inter-governmental, legislative and inter-party dialogues and policy communication.”
- Coordinating development strategy and practical cooperation. Xi expressed that “We view Hungary as a partner in its journey towards China-style modernisation and development.” Consequently, China is ” ready to facilitate coordination between the Belt and Road Initiative and Hungary’s Eastern Opening strategy, accelerating major cooperative endeavours such as the Budapest-Belgrade railway.”
- Enhancing cultural exchanges and communication. To this end, “China is committed to expanding cooperation and the exchange of experiences with Hungary across various domains including education, culture, tourism, sports, youth affairs, media and local communities.”
- Upholding the “correct trajectory of China-EU relations,” as “both sides have a shared responsibility to work together to create greater stability in the world and give greater impetus to global development.”
- Addressing global challenges in the spirit of “true multilateralism,” as “China and Hungary share similar perspectives on international and regional issues, advocating for unity and cooperation to champion universal values such as peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom.
“I trust,” concluded the Chinese President, “that through my visit, alongside Hungarian leaders, we can perpetuate the tradition of friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and elevate the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries to new heights.”
For additional insights on Xi Jinping’s visit, have a look at the following articles below:
Source: Magyar Nemzet
