China appreciates Hungary's friendly policy toward China and stands ready to continue offering mutual support in safeguarding each other's legitimate rights and interests, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Budapest on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his meeting with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto.

Noting the traditional friendship between China and Hungary, Wang said that under the strategic guidance of their leaders, the two countries have upheld mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, and have established an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era that serves as a model of a new type of international relations.

Chinese enterprises investing and operating in Hungary have effectively boosted the country's economic development and improved livelihoods, bringing tangible benefits to the Hungarian people, Wang said.

Facts have shown that China-Hungary friendship and cooperation fully serve the fundamental interests of Hungary and its people, and also contribute to the sound development of China-EU relations, he said, stressing that China is always a strategic partner that Hungary can rely on in its national development and revitalization.

Over the past year, China's economy has forged ahead amid pressure, advanced innovation-led and high-quality development, and achieved its expected growth targets, Wang said.

As this year marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, the country will further promote high-quality development and high-level opening-up, welcoming Hungary and other countries to share new development opportunities, he said.

He called on the two sides to make full use of such mechanisms and platforms as the China-Hungary Economic Joint Committee and the China-Hungary Science and Technology Cooperation Committee, expand cooperation in emerging areas including artificial intelligence, the digital economy and new energy, and support industry upgrading in both countries.

The Chinese government supports more Chinese enterprises to invest and develop in Hungary, he said, expressing confidence that Hungary will continue to improve its business environment and provide further policy support.

He also encouraged Hungarian friends to take full advantage of China's visa-free policy to enjoy a spontaneous trip to China and gain firsthand insight into a real, developing, progressive, and inclusive major country in the East.

Over the 50 years since the establishment of China-EU diplomatic ties, abundant cooperation outcomes have demonstrated that China is a partner rather than a rival, and an opportunity rather than a risk, Wang said.

Wang believes that over time, more European countries will realize that China is a trustworthy partner for long-term cooperation. He voiced the hope that Hungary will continue to promote cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries and the development of China-EU relations.

For his part, Szijjarto said that regardless of changes in the international landscape, Hungary has consistently valued its friendship, mutual trust and cooperation with China.

In recent years, Chinese investment in Hungary has repeatedly hit new highs. Such investment has driven scientific and technological innovation and economic growth, created numerous jobs and significantly advanced Hungary's national development, he said.

Stressing that Hungary is proud to be the first European country to join the Belt and Road Initiative, Wang said the Hungary-Serbia railway will soon start full operation, which is expected to further enhance regional connectivity.

As the international order undergoes a profound transformation, China's position and role as a major global player are of vital importance, he said.

Hungary supports the Global Governance Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China within the United Nations and other multilateral mechanisms, he said, adding that Hungary will continue to actively promote the healthy development of EU-China relations.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other international and regional issues of mutual concern.