Xi Jinping, Hungarian PM Orban exchange views on Ukraine crisis

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis when they met in the Chinese capital, Beijing, on Monday.

Orban briefed Xi on his recent visits to Ukraine and Russia. Xi commended Orban for his efforts towards seeking a political solution to the crisis, stressing that an early ceasefire and political settlement of the issue are in everyone's interest.

The Chinese president said the priority is to cool down the situation by observing the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no fanning by any party over the flames.

Xi called on the international community to provide suitable conditions and support for the resumption of direct dialogue and negotiation between the two parties. "Only when all major countries play a positive rather than negative role can there emerge an early prospect of a ceasefire," he said.

Stressing that China has been actively promoting peace talks in its own way, Xi said China and Hungary share the same basic propositions and are working in the same direction. China will keep in communication with Hungary and the relevant parties, he added.

China-Hungary and China-EU ties

During Monday's talks, Xi noted that during his successful state visit to Hungary two months ago, bilateral relations were elevated to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era, which gave new historical significance to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year and injected strong impetus into the high-level development of China-Hungary relations.

Noting that the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee will be held next week, Xi said China will further deepen overall reform and promote high-quality development and high-level opening up, which will provide new opportunities and create new momentum for China-Hungary cooperation.

Xi said that the two countries should maintain high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen strategic communication and coordination, continue to firmly support each other, strengthen practical cooperation in various fields, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and continue to enrich the bilateral all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era to better benefit the people.

He congratulated Hungary on assuming the rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) and said there is no geopolitical contradiction or fundamental conflict of interests between China and the EU.

China-EU relations are of strategic significance and global influence and should maintain steady and sound development, Xi said, calling on the two sides to jointly respond to global challenges.

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the EU, Xi said, adding that the two sides should stay committed to the correct path of bilateral partnership with cooperation as the defining trend, continue to promote two-way opening up, strengthen international coordination, and contribute to world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

It is hoped that Hungary, as the holder of the rotating EU presidency, will play a positive role in promoting the sound and stable development of China-EU relations and facilitating constructive interactions, Xi added.

For his part, Orban said that over the past two months, the two sides have earnestly implemented the important outcomes of President Xi's visit to Hungary, strengthened friendship and mutual trust, and laid a solid foundation for the future development of bilateral relations.

In the face of the current turbulent international situation, China not only loves peace but has also put forward a series of constructive and important initiatives, proving with its own concrete actions that China is an important stabilizing force for world peace, Orban said.

He added that Hungary highly appreciates and values China's role and influence and is willing to maintain close strategic communication and coordination with China.

Hungary advocates strengthening cooperation with China and opposes forming exclusionary cliques and bloc confrontation, Orban said.

Hungary is willing to take the rotating EU presidency as an opportunity to actively promote the sound development of EU-China relations, he said.

(With input from Xinhua)