China-proposed initiatives bring benefits to people worldwide: defense minister

China-proposed initiatives have brought dividends to the well-being of people worldwide, and have led the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to become a constructive force in safeguarding equity and justice, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said in the Kazakh capital Astana on Friday.

Today's world is undergoing accelerating changes unseen in a century, Dong said in a speech during the annual SCO defense ministers' meeting, adding that proceeding from the common interests of mankind, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, the Belt and Road cooperation, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative, representing humanity's joint pursuit of a better world.

The region and the SCO were among the first to witness these ideas and initiatives being turned into real projects, said Dong, who led a Chinese delegation to the meeting.

The ideas and initiatives have led the SCO to become a community with a shared future featuring mutual assistance and a constructive force in safeguarding equity and justice, Dong said.

The SCO should set an example of solidarity and cooperation amidst increasing instability and disorder in global governance, serve as a promoter of dialogue for peace in the face of complicated and troublesome conflicts and disputes, and become a guardian of common security against the backdrop of intertwined and interconnected security issues, he said.

Advancing Chinese modernization through high-quality development, China will provide more opportunities for countries around the world, he said, adding that China stands ready to work with countries in the region to implement the GSI and promote common security through common development.

Countries in the region, now at a critical stage of development and revitalization, call for development, aspire to stability, and depend on security, Dong said.

Stressing the need to uphold solidarity and mutual trust, share weal and woe, and seek common ground while resolving differences, Dong said SCO member states should jointly build an SCO community of security for all that is more stable, resilient, open, inclusive and influential by improving the cooperation mechanism, expanding military cooperation at a higher level, forming a greater anti-terrorism synergy, and promoting more extensive youth exchanges, in a bid to provide a strong guarantee for safeguarding common interests, and make greater contributions to regional and world peace.

During the meeting, heads of the defense departments of the SCO member states reviewed the cooperation results achieved since last year's meeting, and expressed their willingness to continuously strengthen strategic communication, push forward practical cooperation, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

A joint communique was issued after the meeting.

During his stay in Kazakhstan, Dong met respectively with defense ministers of Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus. He also held separate talks with defense ministers of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, during which he exchanged views with the two defense ministers on the international and regional situations, state-to-state and military-to-military relations, and issues of common concern.

China-proposed initiatives bring benefits to people worldwide: defense minister

China-proposed initiatives bring benefits to people worldwide: defense minister

Hungary has witnessed a manufacturing surge, thanks in part to Chinese investments that have bolstered the country's economy and manufacturing capabilities, a Hungarian expert said.

Bilateral trade between China and Hungary experienced significant growth in 2023, surpassing 13 billion U.S. dollars. Moreover, China's direct investment in Hungary reached 7.6 billion euros (about 8.15 billion U.S. dollars), accounting for 58 percent of the total foreign direct investment into the country. Hungary has remained China's largest investment destination in Central and Eastern Europe for years on end.

In a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Gladden Pappin, president of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, noted that despite a decline in manufacturing in some countries, Hungary has experienced an increase in manufacturing activity, partially due to the investments coming from China.

"What we've been seeing is that even while in some countries there has been a manufacturing decline, that's been continued to increase in Hungary. And that is due in part due to the activity of investments coming from China that have helped to boost the economy and the manufacturing capabilities here. So that's the main thing. Europe has to be a very open economy. China is the number one source of imports into Europe. It's Europe's No.2 export market. Particularly because of Hungary's location, its history, its sensitivity on these areas and its good experience of what having an open and connected economy is like. That's why Hungary is taking this stance to advocate for as much connection as possible and for figuring out ways through diplomacy and exchange to resolve differences," said Pappin.

Pappin acknowledged that no diplomatic relationship is perfect, and that misperceptions and disagreements are natural.

"Of course, it's natural that there are misperceptions and disagreements and things that have to be worked through. No diplomatic relationship in this world is perfect, there's always something to discuss and work through. But the goal has to be to use that process to increase the connections and not to decrease them," said Pappin.

China helps boost Hungary’s manufacturing capabilities: Hungarian expert