Chinese FM calls for joint efforts to deepen China-Hungary friendship, cooperation

BUDAPEST -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on China and Hungary to make joint efforts to advance bilateral ties.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks as he and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto met the press following their talks in Budapest, the Hungarian capital.

Noting that the two sides enjoy a traditional friendship, Wang said that over the more than 70 years since establishing diplomatic ties, China and Hungary have consistently adhered to mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, setting an example of a new type of international relations and forging an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era.

Wang said his visit to Hungary was aimed at deepening friendship and expanding cooperation, adding that he and Szijjarto reached broad consensus during their talks and are fully confident about the future development of bilateral relations.

Looking ahead, Wang called on the two sides to continue making efforts in five aspects.

First, jointly consolidate the foundation of mutual trust. High-level political mutual trust guarantees the steady and long-term development of China-Hungary relations, Wang said.

Guided by the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, both sides are ready to enhance strategic communication and deepen strategic mutual trust, while supporting each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, he said.

China highly appreciates Hungary's steadfast commitment to the one-China principle and will, as always, support Hungary in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests and in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions, Wang said.

Second, jointly deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. Highlighting high-quality, practical cooperation as the driving force for the robust growth of bilateral relations, Wang said the two sides will continue to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Hungary's Opening to the East policy and advance flagship projects such as the Hungary-Serbia railway toward early operation.

Wang noted that it is precisely because of the friendly China-Hungary relationship that Hungary has become one of the most important European destinations for Chinese investment. He expressed hope that Hungary will create a more favorable business environment and provide greater policy support for Chinese companies investing and operating in the country.

He added that China will remain committed to high-level opening-up, sharing opportunities and pursuing common development with countries around the world. Wang welcomed Hungary to ride the "fast track" of Chinese modernization and expand cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, new energy, green development and high-end equipment, continuously upgrading China-Hungary cooperation.

Third, jointly enhance people-to-people exchanges. Wang said the people-to-people bond is the source of vitality for bilateral relations, noting that the recently unveiled seventh Confucius Institute in Hungary has built another bridge of friendship between the two peoples.

China has also implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for Hungarian citizens, welcoming more Hungarians to travel spontaneously and experience firsthand the unique charm and dynamic development of China, he added.

Fourth, jointly promote the sound development of China-EU relations. Wang underlined that the success of China-Hungary relations demonstrates that differences in culture and social systems are not obstacles to dialogue and cooperation, and that mutual respect is the right way for countries to get along with each other.

China is an opportunity rather than a risk, a partner rather than a rival for Europe, he noted.

The Chinese side welcomes Hungary's commitment to maintaining a correct perception of China and its steadfast support for China-Europe cooperation, which fully serves the interests of the Hungarian people as well as the people of other EU countries, Wang said.

Fifth, jointly improve global governance. The world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, with the international situation growing increasingly turbulent and uncertain, he said.

However, division, confrontation and zero-sum games lead nowhere, and reverting to the law of the jungle runs against the will of the people, he added, noting that upholding true multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for humanity is the right path.

The Global Governance Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping responds to the shared aspirations of the international community for peace, cooperation and development, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with Hungary and all like-minded countries to follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and jointly build a more just and reasonable global governance system.