A Hungarian expert's eye-opening first visit to China

BUDAPEST — For Zoltan Kiszelly, director of the Center of Political Analysis at Hungary's Szazadveg Foundation, his first visit to China was a blend of discovery, dialogue, and cultural appreciation.

Kiszelly was invited by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences to participate in a study tour and conference in late November that gave him a better impression of the country's development, history and approach to the future.

He attended the book launch of Balazs Orban, the political director for Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who was promoting the Hungarian government's position on connectivity as a counterpoint to decoupling, de-risking and anti-globalization.

The journey began in Chongqing, a bustling metropolis and one of the starting points of the China-Europe Railway Express. "It was impressive to see the logistical hub where goods are assembled and prepared for shipment to Europe, 8,000 kilometers away," he remarks. Standing at the zero-kilometer stone where the trains begin their journey gave Kiszelly a real sense of China's vision for global connectivity.

His visit also gave him a sense of Chongqing's twin focus on cutting-edge innovation and ancient heritage. At a robotics company, he saw how technology is being used to tackle dangerous tasks. "It was fascinating to see 21st-century technology in action," he says. "These robots can take over dangerous jobs from people working in hazardous environments."

The cultural experiences were equally striking. "We visited 800-year-old mountain carvings — monuments of ancient Chinese culture," he shares. "And the nighttime river cruise on the Yangtze, with the city's lights illuminating the skyline, was truly breathtaking."

Kiszelly also spoke of the warmth and curiosity of the people he encountered.

From Chongqing, he traveled to Beijing for a two-day conference at the Chinese Archaeological Museum. The venue itself symbolizes China's vision of connecting the past with the future. "The conference juxtaposed 5,000 years of history with discussions about the 21st century," Kiszelly says.

The capital's modern infrastructure — Beijing has hosted the Summer, Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games — also left a lasting impression. "The scale and organization of the development was remarkable," he says. He also toured the Museum of the Communist Party of China, which he described as a compelling narrative of the country's journey, presented in an accessible way.

Kiszelly says that the Belt and Road Initiative aligns seamlessly with Hungary's Eastern Opening policy. "The term 'all-weather strategic comprehensive partnership' means that the two countries have more in common and want to enhance and embolden their relationship."

He also says that Hungary was one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China 75 years ago, and one of the first European nations to join the BRI. "That underlines and shows the long-term relationship between Hungary and China over the past 75 years," he says.

He says that the scale of urban development and manufacturing capacity is unmatched, a level of industrial focus and innovation rarely found elsewhere. "It was impressive to see how many people, how many engineers, and how many companies are working for the future."

One word recurred frequently during Kiszelly's interview: connectivity. "With Chinese technology, we can develop our countries and face common threats to humanity. For instance, with China's green technology — electric vehicles, solar panels, and other renewable innovations — we can tackle climate change. We get a better environment and better living conditions. This is how the Hungarian government views connectivity."