China and Hungary agreed on Thursday to elevate their relations to a comprehensive, permanent strategic partnership for the new era. This decision was announced during talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping, on an official visit to Hungary, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Hungary, opening new significant opportunities for developing bilateral relations, Xi noted. In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Orbán, Xi emphasized that both countries have always been good friends who trust and support each other, as well as reliable partners seeking long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation. It is only natural for the two nations to further promote their relationship and enhance bilateral cooperation.
Both sides should consider the establishment of the comprehensive, permanent strategic partnership for the new era as an opportunity to inject strong new momentum into their bilateral cooperation and to create a better future for their peoples, Xi said. Currently, relations between China and Hungary are in their best period in history, and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two has maintained high-level development, Xi remarked during his talks with Orbán. With deepening mutual political trust and fruitful cooperation across various fields, the two countries have set a model for establishing a new type of international relations.
President Xi expressed that Hungary is welcome to partner with China in its modernization journey, which will certainly generate more opportunities for Hungary and many other countries worldwide. China is willing to work with Hungary to better align their development strategies, leverage mechanisms like the China-Hungary Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), promote organized cooperation in areas like infrastructure and green energy, complete the Hungary-Serbia railway construction as planned, and actively expand collaboration in emerging sectors such as clean energy and artificial intelligence, Xi stated.
To enrich the comprehensive, permanent strategic partnership for the new era, China and Hungary committed to strengthen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Hungary’s “Opening to the East” policy, according to a joint statement issued by both countries regarding the establishment of the partnership. The statement highlights that, by utilizing mechanisms and platforms such as the Belt and Road Cooperation Promotion Center, both parties will pursue deeper and more substantive progress in high-quality cooperation within the BRI framework, jointly ensuring the security and smooth implementation of relevant cooperation projects, and striving for more fruitful results in practical collaboration.
During his talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, President Xi stressed that both parties should continue supporting the teaching of both Chinese and Hungarian languages. China is willing to strengthen multilateral communication and coordination with Hungary, advocate for a multipolar, fair, and orderly world and inclusive economic globalization, uphold international equity and justice, advance global governance in a fairer direction, and strive to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
Referring to Europe as a crucial pole in a multipolar world and an important partner for China’s modernization, President Xi expressed hope that Hungary will take advantage of its upcoming EU presidency in the second half of this year to promote the stable and healthy development of China-EU relations.
China-Central and Eastern European cooperation has strong internal momentum, Xi said, hoping that Hungary will continue to play a central role in enhancing cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries to bring more benefits to various nations.
In return, Prime Minister Orbán told President Xi that his visit to Hungary once again demonstrates the deep friendship and immense potential between Hungary and China, carrying significant historical meaning for Hungary and Sino-Hungarian relations. Hungary supports China in safeguarding its fundamental interests and legitimate rights, Orbán affirmed, adding that Hungary has always respected and will continue to respect the “One China” principle.
The Hungarian government “reaffirms that there is only one China in the world, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing China, and Hungary opposes any separatist activities aimed at undermining China’s unity,” the joint statement issued Thursday noted.
In his discussions with President Xi, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that his country does not align with rhetoric around “overcapacity” or “risk reduction.” China’s development is an opportunity, not a threat, to Europe, and Hungary is willing to strengthen multilateral communication and cooperation with China to jointly safeguard global peace and stability.
The two leaders also exchanged in-depth views on the Ukraine crisis. President Xi emphasized that China has always been dedicated to promoting peace negotiations and is willing to work with relevant parties to make positive efforts to restore peace as quickly as possible.