Hungarian PM: The BRI is not threat but opportunity

World
Europe

01:25

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed hope to bring the bilateral ties between China and Hungary to a new level during his meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Beijing on Thursday.

President Xi noted that since 2017, when the two leaders announced to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Hungary, the bilateral relationship has entered a new historic phase.

He stressed that both sides should maintain high-level exchanges, improve mutual respect and trust, reinforce pragmatic cooperation and expand the cultural and people-to-people exchanges. He also called for the solid implementation of projects under the Belt and Road framework, including the Budapest-Belgrade railway.

Orban said he had realized that the future of Hungary largely lies on its relationship with China as early as 10 years ago.

He pointed out that the Belt and Road Initiative is not a threat, but an opportunity. Hungary firmly supports this initiative and will actively participate in it, noted Orban.

The Hungarian prime minister also spoke highly of the development of China's technology and showed his welcome for Chinese investment.

Both leaders agreed to Hungary's role in boosting China-Europe relations through the cooperative platform between China and Central and Eastern European countries.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-Hungary diplomatic ties.