Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he greeted the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping with a "welcome home" message on Wednesday due to Hungary's historical ties with the East and the special emotional element between the two nations.
Hungary is an ancient nation originating from the eastern side of the world, said Orban during an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Budapest on Thursday, stressing the strong desire among many Hungarians to preserve the memory and connection to their Eastern origins.
"Because we came from the east, we are settled here in the west. But the origin is very important, so we know that relatives are somewhere, they are far away, So when somebody from the east is coming to Hungary, especially with the high civilization [spanning] for several thousands of years as China, it always has a special emotional element of that meeting. So it's a good reason to say to your President that (he should) feel at home," said Orban.
Orban and his wife Aniko Levai warmly welcomed Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at Budapest Airport on Wednesday.
Hungary is the last leg of Xi's current six-day Europe tour, which has also taken him to France and Serbia.
'Welcome home' greeting to Xi carries special emotional elements: Hungarian PM
'Welcome home' greeting to Xi carries special emotional elements: Hungarian PM
The eighth China-Africa Youth Festival kicked off in Beijing on Monday, as part of the efforts to implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
The eight-day event, co-hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, has attracted many outstanding young representatives from 52 African member countries of the forum to experience Chinese traditional culture and observe the country's development together with Chinese youth.
At the opening ceremony, attendees noted the longstanding partnership between China and Africa as the two sides have always been a community with a shared future. The event highlights the crucial role of youth in promoting China-Africa relations and shaping a promising future for both sides.
For Zimbabwe, events like the China-Africa Youth Festival will undoubtedly play a key role in promoting the country's development, facilitating deep intellectual exchanges with China and allowing for learning from China's economic development experience, according to John Paradza, deputy secretary general of the Youth League of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu PF), Zimbabwe's ruling party.
During this year's festival, African youths will experience Chinese traditions by visiting iconic sites like the Great Wall, and travel to Zhejiang Province in east China to witness the country's efforts in rural revitalization. Additionally, the event will also include a China-Africa Youth Dialogue and the launch of a China-Africa friendship initiative.
8th China-Africa Youth Festival kicks off in Beijing
