Xi, Orban hold joint press conference in Budapest

China and Hungary are ready to embark on a golden voyage in their bilateral ties and practical cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Budapest on Thursday.

Xi made the statement at a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban after the two leaders concluded their meeting in the Hungarian capital.

Xi said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and Hungary. Over the past 75 years, the two sides have always followed the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win results, charting the right course for their bilateral relationship, which is at its best in history.

"China and Hungary are always good friends who trust and support each other and good partners who seek win-win cooperation over the years. We of course should further elevate our bilateral relations and enrich our cooperation. We have decided to issue a joint statement to announce the establishment of an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era between China and Hungary. We are willing to take this new starting point to push our bilateral relations and practical cooperation to embark on a golden voyage toward an even higher level so as to inject strong impetus into out respective development and prosperity," Xi said.

"We both believe that profound political mutual trust has laid a solid foundation for China-Hungary relations. I'm confident that with joint efforts from both sides, China and Hungary will embrace a brighter future," Xi said.

Orban extended his warm welcome to Xi.

"Your Excellency Chinese President Xi Jinping. It's an honor to welcome you for a state visit to Hungary on the occasion of marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. We have always regarded China as a friendly nation, and cooperation between Hungary and China is a history of continuous, uninterrupted friendship spanning several decades," he said.

Orban thanked China for providing valuable assistance to Hungary during its difficulties, saying that China is an important and positive force in a multipolar world. Hungary supports the global initiatives proposed by President Xi and echoes China's proposals to promote the peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis and other regional conflicts, Orban said, adding that Hungary hopes to further enhance its relations with China and the two countries can be firm partners of cooperation in respective modernization processes.

Xi, Orban hold joint press conference in Budapest

Xi, Orban hold joint press conference in Budapest

Lai Ching-te has sent a dangerous signal of seeking "Taiwan independence" and making provocations to undermine cross-Strait peace and stability in his first speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader on Monday, according to scholars and commentators.

Many in China's Taiwan region have pointed out that while Lai Ching-te's speeches have repeatedly emphasized the importance of peace for Taiwan, they see no concrete action on how to achieve it.

"He does not listen to public opinion and displays great arrogance. He blatantly intends to continue pursuing the 'two states' theory and will attempt to solicit U.S. support for 'Taiwan independence'. [He] disregards the desire of Taiwan for easing the situation in cross-Straits relations, which will create new factors that could lead to tensions in the Taiwan Strait," said You Zixiang, a professor at Shih Hsin University.

"After listening to his entire speech, I feel that not only did he fail to express any genuine intentions for peaceful coexistence and common prosperity, but he used the concept of peaceful coexistence and common prosperity as a cover and disguise for creating a 'peaceful division'," said Wang Bingzhong, a commentator in the Taiwan region.

In the Taiwan region, there is growing concern across various sectors that future opportunities for communication between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will become increasingly scarce.

"[The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities] are deepening the roots of political hatred. I think that since Taiwan has already experienced the tragic 'White Terror' in the past, why should we embark on a journey of 'Green Terror'?" said Chi Chia-Lin, president of the Reunification Alliance Party.

"I'm actually very concerned. Lai Ching-te's staffing arrangements have revealed his extreme ideology, and it seems that he will continue to put stress on cross-Strait relations," said Shi Xueqin, a student at Chi Nan University in Taiwan.

Lai sends dangerous signal in first speech as Taiwan's new leader: scholars, commentators