Xi's visit to Hungary concludes with elevation of bilateral ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Hungary from Wednesday to Friday concluded with the elevation of bilateral relations to a new level.

The two countries decided Thursday to elevate bilateral relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era.

The decision was announced during the talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived in Budapest on Wednesday and were warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Orban and his wife Aniko Levai.

At the airport, Xi received a bouquet from Olah Tamara, a university student who had also presented flowers to Xi, then Chinese vice president, 15 years ago during his official visit to Hungary .

People from all walks of life lined the street to welcome Xi in Budapest, waving national flags of both countries.

On Thursday, Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok, together with Prime Minister Orban, held a welcome ceremony for Xi at the Buda Castle.

After the ceremony, Xi held talks with Sulyok and Orban respectively.

Xi expressed his readiness to work with Sulyok to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and steer the China-Hungary relationship to higher levels when holding talks with the Hungarian President.

The bilateral relationship has stood the test of the changing international landscape and continued to grow in depth from a friendship across the continent, to a friendly and cooperative partnership and then to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said.

During the talks with Orban, Xi said that China and Hungary set a good example for fostering a new type of international relations with their comprehensive strategic partnership maintaining high-level development, characterized by deepening political trust, and fruitful cooperation across diverse fields.

"I got to know Mr. Prime Minister in 2009, and now 15 years later, we are old friends," Xi said in his talks with Orban.

After the talks, Xi and Orban jointly met the press and witnessed the exchange of 18 cooperation documents, covering areas such as trade, agriculture and green development.

Xi attended a welcome banquet hosted by Orban on Thursday night.

"Standing at the new historical starting point of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Hungary, Prime Minister Orban and I have decided to elevate the bilateral relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era and open a new chapter in our exchanges and cooperation," Xi said at the banquet.

Orban held a farewell event for Xi around noon on Friday, and then together with Levai saw off Xi and Peng at the airport.

Xi's visit to Hungary concludes with elevation of bilateral ties

On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.

Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.

In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.

"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.

"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.

He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.

"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.

Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth