Enhancing China-Hungary ties are expected to represent a good welcome to all Chinese businesspeople who wanted to make inroad to the European market, said Radovan Jelasic, president of the Hungarian Banking Association.
Jelasic said that Hungary is China's important trade partner in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) bloc, as he pointed out that Hungary received 7.6 billion euros of foreign direct investment from China last year, accounting for 58 percent of last year's total.
"China is and has been, for the last decade, one of the most prosperous and more dynamic countries for the Hungarian trade. We had 7.6 billion euros of FDI in 2023. We expect this number almost to double in the next couple of years. And I think also for the Chinese investors, Hungary obviously plays a major role as far as investment in central eastern Europe is concerned. I think it's also important to mention that, in addition to the chemical industry that is already here from China, in addition to telecommunications and the banking sector, we are also expecting some other additional investment, especially in the automobile industry," said Jelasic.
Currently, there are 17 direct flights operating each week between Hungary and China. Jelasic believes that this has greatly enhanced business activities between the two countries while fostering stronger connections between China and Europe overall.
"Weekly there are 17 direct flights between Hungary and China, which is also cementing the good relationship. As far as we are aware, there is no other country in the CEE that has more direct flights from China than to Hungary. I think it's very important. And I do hope that this also represents a good welcome to all the Chinese businessmen who are coming over to Europe. Because obviously then Hungary is going to be one of the major boards and major jumping stones for all of their businesses in central and eastern Europe," said Jelasic.
Hungary is among the six European countries that have been granted visa exempetions to Chinese nationals starting from March 14.
Enhancing China-Hungary ties represent a good welcome to Chinese businesses: banker
A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Lai Ching-te has sent "a dangerous signal" of seeking "Taiwan independence" and making provocations to undermine cross-Strait peace and stability in his speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader on Monday.
Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, described Lai's speech as one that stubbornly followed the "Taiwan independence" stance, wantonly advocated separatism, incited cross-Strait confrontation and sought independence by relying on foreign support and by force.
Chen said the mainstream public aspiration on the island is for peace and development, instead of war and recession, while Lai has ignored the public opinion, exposing his nature of being "a worker for Taiwan independence."
The current complex and grave situation across the Strait is rooted in the fact that the Democratic Progressive Party has stubbornly stuck to the separatist stance of "Taiwan independence," rejected the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle, and kept colluding with external forces to make provocations of seeking "Taiwan independence," Chen said.
Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, said Chen, stressing that "Taiwan independence" and peace across the Strait are incompatible as fire and water.
"We have firm determination to resolve the Taiwan question and realize national reunification; we have strong capabilities to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity; and we will take resolute actions to fight separatist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence' and external interference," he said.
"We will never tolerate any 'Taiwan independence' separatist acts in any form," said Chen.
China must and will be reunified, Chen stressed. No matter how the situation on the island changes and who assumes the regional leader, it will not change the fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, or impede the historical trend of national reunification, he said.
"We will fully implement the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, unswervingly uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, work together with Taiwan compatriots to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and cross-Strait integrated development, and resolutely advance the reunification of the motherland," said Chen.
Mainland says Lai sends "dangerous signal" in speech as Taiwan's new leader
