Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban jointly met the press in Budapest on Thursday.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Hungary, Xi said that over the past 75 years, the two sides have always followed the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win to ensure that bilateral relations keep moving in the right direction. The relationship is now at its best in history, he added.
Xi said he had cordial, friendly and productive talks with Orban, adding that they had an in-depth exchange of views and reached extensive consensus on the development of bilateral ties in the new era and on issues of mutual interest. They also witnessed the exchange of a series of important bilateral cooperation documents and Xi expressed full confidence in the future of bilateral relations.
Xi stressed that he and Prime Minister Orban both agree that for a long time, China and Hungary have been good friends that trust and help each other, and good partners in win-win cooperation. It is natural for the two nations to further elevate the relations and add new dimensions to cooperation, he said.
China and Hungary will announce the establishment of an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era, and China would like to take this as a new starting point to promote bilateral relations and pragmatic cooperation to a new height, said Xi.
Both China and Hungary believe that the high-level political mutual trust has laid a solid foundation for the development of China-Hungary relations, said Xi, adding that both sides are willing to maintain the momentum of close high-level interactions, enhance dialogues and exchanges between governments, legislatures and parties to share experience in national governance.
China highly appreciates Hungary's firm commitment to the one-China principle, and will firmly support Hungary in following a development path tailored to its national realities, said Xi.
Both China and Hungary believe the Belt and Road Initiative and Hungary's Eastern Opening strategy are highly compatible. The two sides will better align development strategies, deepen cooperation in economy and trades, investment, finance and other areas, promote construction of key projects including the Budapest-Belgrade railway, expanding cooperation in emerging industries, cultivate new quality productive forces to empower economic and social development in both countries, said Xi.
Noting that both China and Hungary believe that the traditional friendship of two countries has solid foundation, Xi said the two sides will continue to support the teaching of each other's languages, make good use of their cultural centers, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in sports, media, subnational governments and other fields, and promote mutual learning and understanding between different cultures and peoples. The two countries will further optimize their respective exit-entry policies and enhance direct flight linkages to create more favorable conditions for facilitating people-to-people exchanges.
Xi said both countries believe that cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) upholds the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, which has set a fine example of cross-regional cooperation. China and Hungary will work together to expand the scope, broaden the coverage and raise the levels of the China-CEEC Cooperation so as to deliver greater benefits to the people of relevant countries, he said.
China values the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and believes Europe is an important force of the multi-polar world, and a key partner in China's bid to advance Chinese modernization. China supports Hungary to play a bigger role within the European Union and facilitate greater development of China-EU relations, Xi said.
Xi said China and Hungary share similar views and positions on the international and regional situation, and are willing to strengthen communication and coordination in the multilateral field, actively advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, resolutely uphold international fairness and justice, and build a global community of shared future.
Xi stressed that China is comprehensively building itself into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernization. The Chinese modernization will bring huge opportunities to the world, and China would like to achieve common development and prosperity together with Hungary, he said.
Xi believes with the joint efforts of both sides, China and Hungary will surely enjoy a brighter future.
For his part, Orban warmly welcomed Xi's state visit to Hungary on the occasion of celebrating the 75th anniversary of China-Hungary diplomatic ties.
He said that the two nations enjoy profound friendship and solid relations, and Hungary will continue to follow the one-China principle. The two sides respect and support each other, and mutually beneficial cooperation has benefited the people, Orban noted.
He 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.
On Thursday night, Orban and his wife Aniko Levai held a grand welcome banquet for President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at the Buda Castle.