Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to make a state visit to Hungary, marking his second journey to the country in 15 years. The visit comes at the invitation of Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, highlighting the deepening ties between the two nations.
In anticipation of his visit, President Xi penned a signed article titled “Embarking on a Golden Voyage in China-Hungary Relations” published in the Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet. The article underscores the significance of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, emphasizing a partnership that has grown steadily over the decades.
Celebrating a Historical Friendship
President Xi reflects on the profound historical and cultural heritage of Hungary, praising its contributions to human civilization through inventions like the modern ballpoint pen and the Rubik’s Cube. He highlights the long-standing friendship between the Chinese and Hungarian peoples, forged through mutual respect and support during challenging times such as the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our long-standing friendship is as mellow and rich as Tokaji wine,” Xi writes, drawing a parallel between the celebrated Hungarian wine and the enduring relationship between the two countries.
Deepening Mutual Trust and Cooperation
The Chinese President stresses the importance of political mutual trust as the cornerstone of bilateral relations. He expresses China’s readiness to align development strategies with Hungary, particularly through high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and Hungary’s Eastern Opening strategy.
Significant projects like the construction of the Budapest-Belgrade railway are highlighted as key areas of collaboration that will inject new impetus into global economic recovery. Today, Hungary stands as China’s top investment destination and an important trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe.
Enhancing Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges
Emphasizing the role of cultural connectivity, President Xi notes the success of the Hungarian Cultural Center in Beijing and anticipates the official inauguration of the China Cultural Center in Budapest. Educational exchanges are flourishing, with Hungarian language courses in Chinese universities and Confucius Institutes gaining popularity in Hungary.
The President advocates for expanded cooperation in education, culture, tourism, sports, and youth exchanges to strengthen the foundations of friendship between the two peoples.
Looking Towards a Shared Future
As both nations stand at pivotal stages of development, President Xi calls for joint efforts to address global challenges and uphold true multilateralism. He underscores the shared responsibility to contribute to world peace and promote common development.
“On the new journey of the new era, China looks forward to working closely with our Hungarian friends to write new stories of friendship, open a new chapter of cooperation, and strive for a better future for the two peoples,” Xi concludes.
The upcoming visit is expected to reinforce China-Hungary relations, providing opportunities to renew traditional friendships and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, aligning with the interests of both nations and contributing positively to China-Europe relations.
