Editor's note: The article is based on an interview with Liu Mingli, Deputy Director of Institute of European Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. The article reflects interviewee's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is visiting Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Belgium, and Iceland from February 11 to 15, but the trip is not going smoothly. His plan to drive a wedge between Hungary and China and Russia fell through in Budapest when Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade, opposed his critique of the country's allies.

Liu said "America's carrot and stick approach doesn't work in Hungary, and Hungary will strengthen its cooperation with Russia and China in terms of energy and technology."

Why is Mike Pompeo visiting Hungary?

According to Liu, Mike Pompeo's visit to Central Europe is related to the U.S.'s big diplomatic strategy. During the Obama period, the United States did not pay much attention to Central Europe even though it was developing rapidly.

When it comes to Russia, Liu thinks that energy has been the bone of contention. Central Europe has become a battlefield for the world's largest energy exporters, namely Russia and the U.S. Hungary's energy depends on Russia's natural gas. In 2019, Russia is providing 75 percent of Hungary's oil and 60 percent of its natural gas. Liu thinks the United States hopes Hungary will reduce its natural gas imports from Russia and import more natural gas from the United States.

As for the China issue, Liu believes that Mike Pompeo's visit to Hungary is in the hope that it will follow Western countries and block Huawei from developing the country's 5G network.

"The U.S. is exerting pressure on Hungary to ditch Huawei," Liu told CGTN.

As Liu points out, the main reason why the United States launched a trade war against China last year was because of worries about China's technological development. Huawei's 5G technology is the main target of the United States. Although many Western countries have refused to participate in the construction of 5G networks in China, Hungary has welcomed Huawei to build its 5G networks. Huawei has made Central Europe its main strategic target in its global business.

The U.S.' concern is that, as a NATO member, once Hungary allows Huawei entry to its telecommunications network, it will lead to information leakages in the United States because of cooperation between the countries.

"Given the cooperation between the U.S. and Hungary in NATO, Huawei's 5G construction in Hungary is hanging over Washington." Liu told CGTN.

What does Mike Pompeo take back to the U.S.?

Liu believes that although the U.S. is eager to gain more political influence in Hungary, what they have done is nothing more than flogging a dead horse.

"Péter Szijjártó's declaration is the embodiment of Hungary government's stance – they will keep walking close with China," Liu told CGTN.

According to Liu, Hungary needs to import energy from Russia in order to develop its economy, and America wants to prevent this. Hungary, however, will not follow America's request.

"Given Hungary's location, importing natural gas from Russia is much cheaper than that of the U.S. and Hungary will make the correct decision according to its national interests," Liu told CGTN.

When it comes to Huawei's 5G construction in Hungary, Liu assumes that process is going smoothly regardless of America's interference. Over the past few years, Hungary has had good relations with China. Hungary is one of the main beneficiaries of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that brings mutual benefits to both sides. With its strategic position, Beijing has always been paying special attention to cooperate with Budapest. In 2017, China is the second top import origins of Hungary, exporting 5.78 billion U.S. dollars' worth goods to Hungary. 

"Given that Hungary is benefiting from China's BRI, it's very hard for Budapest to refuse Huawei's 5G construction, because it is in Hungary's national interests," Liu told CGTN. Huawei's 5G construction will not only improve Hungary's internet capacity, but also provide a chance for the country to update its infrastructure, and improve Hungarian's standard of living.

In Liu's opinion, Mike Pompeo will get nothing but disappointment from Hungary, as his attempt to sow discord Hungary with Russia and China is turned out to be a failure.

"Péter Szijjártó's message is clearly: with regards to the relations with China and Russia, Hungary will not run with the hare, but will stay with the hound," Liu told CGTN.

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