The Chinese President will make his first official visit to Budapest in twenty years.Continue reading
The Chinese President’s upcoming visit to Hungary holds historic significance, as highlighted by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó.
Speaking at a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart on Monday, Szijjártó emphasized the uniqueness of Xi Jinping’s visit, noting that only two EU Member States, Hungary and France, are hosting such a substantial delegation. He also expressed optimism about the visit’s potential to greatly contribute to Hungary’s strength, foster economic and trade relations, and perhaps even advance peace efforts.
Among the key topics up for discussion during the visit, economic cooperation stands out.
Notably, China emerged as the largest investor in Hungary in both 2020 and 2023, bolstering Hungary’s position as a global leader in automotive industry technology.
While discussions about further investments with major Chinese companies are underway, Minister Szijjártó dismissed rumors of the Chinese President’s visit to Pécs (southern Hungary) as false. He urged caution against prematurely disclosing specific company names during negotiations, citing potential harm to Hungary’s national and economic interests.
Highlighting the significance of forthcoming agreements, the Minister outlined discussions on infrastructure development in Hungary linked to China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, which may encompass rail, road, and energy projects. Additionally, he stressed the importance of comprehensive cooperation in nuclear energy and expanding export opportunities for high-quality Hungarian agricultural products to China.
Péter Szijjártó also underscored the potential for enhanced tourism relations, buoyed by Hungary’s strong regional position with nineteen weekly flights scheduled from July.
Maintaining the visa-free regime for Hungarian citizens is a priority in this regard.
In addition to economic matters, the talks will address geopolitical concerns, particularly the war in Ukraine and China’s peace plan. Szijjártó welcomed China’s commitment to peace, aligning with Hungary’s stance on the importance of peaceful resolution.
Via MTI; Featured Image: Pixabay