The most influential figure in Chinese diplomacy, State Councilor Wang Yi, held talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in Budapest.
Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, paid a visit to Budapest. He arrived in Europe last week and held talks in Rome, Paris, and the Munich Security Conference, and will continue his trip to Russia.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán received the senior Chinese diplomat at a private dinner on Sunday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó held talks with Wang Yi on Monday about the cooperation between China and the countries of Central Europe, as well as the strategic partnership between the two countries.
“We met for the first time eight and a half years ago when I traveled to Beijing as a new minister at the invitation of my Chinese counterpart. This is the 15th time we have met since then, and in that time, beyond professional cooperation, I can safely say that we have developed a friendly relationship,” Szijjártó wrote on Facebook. He stressed that
as foreign minister, Wang Yi has done a great deal to improve relations between China and Hungary, from which our country has benefited enormously.”
“Hungary has been consistently high on the investment map of the largest Chinese companies and our trade turnover is regularly over 10 billion dollars,” he explained. “Now that my colleague has moved up a level, we can look forward to a bright future of cooperation,” the minister added.
In a joint press statement, Wang Yi stressed that there is mutual respect and trust between the two countries, mutual support for each other in resolving difficulties, and very good relations between the leaders, which greatly contributes to strengthening ties.
He said that Beijing appreciates the Hungarian government’s “China-friendly policy,” providing support on certain issues in international fora. Wang Yi underlined that China is also ready to assist Hungary in the interests of its sovereignty, security, and development.
Featured photo via Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Benko Vivien Cher