Unlock Editor’s Digest for free
FT editor Roula Khalaf has chosen her favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.
By improving relations between China and Hungary this week, Xi Jinping set an example for the central European nation led by maverick Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that he hopes others in Europe and beyond will follow, Chinese officials said. .
Xi, who visited Budapest at the end of a five-day three-nation European tour, formally praised China and Hungary’s “new-era all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership,” but officials said the The explanation is simply “a new era of all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership.” Merely semantic significance.
Budapest is now a member of what Mr. Xi calls Beijing’s “circle of friends.” These are the countries that most support China’s efforts to counter U.S. power and are increasingly rewarded with investment, trade and diplomatic support, officials told the Financial Times.
This means that the expanded relationship, which has so far been described as just a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” carries more weight than Xi Jinping’s schmaltzy description of relations with Hungary as “mellow and rich like Tokaji wine.” It is meant to carry a geopolitical message.
Despite Hungary being a member of NATO and the European Union, President Orban is well known for his hostility towards Washington and Brussels. Mr. Xi praised China for its “independent” foreign policy and “defiance” of great power politics.
Now, China is giving it something in return. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said this week that Chinese companies have invested 16 billion euros in Hungary, making them the country’s biggest investors. “We see cooperation with China as a great opportunity and a great opportunity,” he said.
“This ‘all-weather partnership’ elevates Hungary to China’s closest friendship,” said Abigael Vasselier of the Berlin-based think tank Merix.
Analysts said the “all-weather” designation given to Budapest appeared to signify Beijing’s recognition of the importance of Hungary’s friendly relations, second only to Russia and Pakistan.
Russia remains important to China as it is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a nuclear power and a rival of the United States. Pakistan is important because it is a nuclear-armed state and India’s neighbor and rival.
Designating Hungary as an “all-weather” friendly country is seen by Beijing as Budapest’s participation in Mr. Xi’s personal project to lead the creation of what Beijing calls a “world community with a shared future.” It also means.
A lengthy explanation of the concept, published by China’s State Council last year, included recommendations against a return to US “hegemony” and a “Cold War mentality,” as well as bland ideas such as the creation of a green and sustainable global economy. Goals are combined. .
This represents President Xi’s vision of how the world should work and reveals Beijing’s growing confidence that China’s status as an economic power should enable it to begin building a new world order. ing.
“China has a natural confidence because of its industrial policy,” said Yu Jie, a China expert at Chatham House, a British think tank. “We know that Beijing has highly competitive high-end manufacturing and a strong nationwide supply chain. This is important to China’s sense of its own power in the world. It adds an element.”
Hungary’s main appeal to Beijing is that its membership in the European Union allows it to serve as a manufacturing hub for Chinese companies looking to avoid import duties within the region.
Politically, Mr. Orbán’s willingness to criticize the United States, maintain close ties with Russia and maintain an independent stance on EU policy are the most appealing to Beijing, Chinese officials say. This is a quality that he felt was ideal.
“The most important qualification for being an ‘all-weather’ partner is loyalty to China’s positions on geopolitical issues,” said a Chinese official on condition of anonymity.
Mr. Orbán displayed this trait on Thursday during a press conference with Mr. Xi held for a select group of journalists in his office atop a hill in Budapest’s Buda Castle.
Other NATO and EU members have called on China to reduce aid to Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Beijing’s calls for an immediate cease-fire and peace talks have been capitulated. It is rejected as being equal to However, Orbán struck a completely different tone.
“Today, Europe is on the side of war,” he said. “The only exception is Hungary, which calls for an immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations and supports all international efforts towards peace. . . We also support the China peace initiative presented by Xi Jinping.”
For many in Europe, such defiance of a common position is troubling.
“The EU is currently holding its breath over whether Hungary will play the China card in the European Council,” Vasselier said. “This means whether Budapest will lack unity on important issues and decisions related to China.”
