Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to Budapest on Thursday, strengthening Beijing’s already flourishing relationship with its closest ally in the European Union.
The state visit to Hungary is the final leg of President Xi’s European tour and his first since 2019.
Earlier this week, the Chinese leader began a visit in France. The visit was heartwarming, but also highlighted tensions between China and the EU over the Ukraine war and global trade.
Xi arrived in Budapest on Wednesday night after visiting Serbia, a non-EU member state.
Ahead of his arrival in Budapest, Xi referred to Hungary’s famous vineyard region in an editorial published daily in Hungary’s pro-government organization Magyar Nemzet, calling it “mellow and rich like Tokaji wine.” He praised their “long-standing friendship”.
“Amidst the unstable international situation, we have overcome difficulties together and fought together against power politics.
“Bilateral relations are at the best in history and we have embarked on a golden voyage…China looks forward to working closely with our Hungarian friends on a new journey in a new era,” he said.
Mr Orbán, who is often at odds with Brussels, has advocated an “Open East” foreign policy since returning to power in 2010, with closer economic ties with China, Russia and other Asian countries. I’m looking for.
The nationalist prime minister remained committed to his strategy even as tensions between the West and Beijing escalated over human rights abuses, the coronavirus pandemic, trade and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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~ Deepen the bond ~
President Xi’s three-day visit to Hungary commemorates the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China.
The central European country of 9.6 million people has attracted a slew of large Chinese projects in recent years, mainly related to battery and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.
Since Hungary began to emerge as a global hub for EV manufacturing in 2022, several new Chinese companies have sprung up across Hungary.
According to the Hungarian government, the two countries plan to sign at least 16 different agreements promoting cooperation in rail and road infrastructure, nuclear energy and the automotive industry.
After a dinner featuring traditional Hungarian cuisine on Wednesday night, Xi will receive military honors in Budapest on Thursday morning with Hungarian President Tamás Sulok.
Mr. Xi will then meet with Mr. Orban and is expected to make a statement to the press later that day.
The Chinese leader is scheduled to leave Hungary on Friday afternoon.
～“Diplomatic victory”～
French President Emmanuel Macron has pressed a message to China not to support Russia’s war against Ukraine and to embrace fairer trade, but political scientist Jia Ian Chong from the University of Singapore said Hungary is “It will be a more friendly destination for Mr. Xi,” he said.
He added that in Hungary, which has close ties with both Moscow and China, Mr. Xi will be able to “avoid tough conversations and awkward questions.”
Both countries seek a peaceful resolution to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“Hungary is a diplomatic victory for Mr. Xi, demonstrating warm ties with EU member states that will continue to roll out the red carpet for Chinese investment,” said Xiaoxue Martin, a researcher at the Clingendael China Center. .
“President Xi’s message to other European countries: This is how China wants to be treated in Europe,” she added.
Hungarians questioned by AFP on the streets of Budapest appeared divided over the Chinese leader’s visit.
“As they say, money has no smell, so I think other countries would welcome investments like the one here, and I think that’s the case in Western Europe as well,” said security manager Laszlo Toth, 52. said.
But Tibor Hendre, president of the Tibet Support Association, said he was concerned that Hungary was “in a debt trap and can’t really get out of it.”
Software engineer Dezso Bereknyei, 46, said “economic interests” seemed to be driving cooperation and “are being prioritized over environmental protection.”
