China's top legislator Zhao Leji praised the mutual trust and win-win cooperation between China and Hungary during an official friendly visit on 24-28 July.

During his visit to Budapest, Zhao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the All-China People's Congress (APC), met separately with Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and held talks with Hungarian Parliament Speaker László Kövér.

In his meeting with Sulyok, Zhao conveyed warm greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and said Xi's successful state visit to Hungary in May 2024, which elevated China-Hungary relations to the level of an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era, has opened up broader prospects for friendly cooperation between the two countries.

China, he said, is ready to be a good friend with Hungary based on mutual respect and trust, a good partner bringing mutual benefits and wins, and a good brother who understands and cares for the other.

Zhao said China will join forces with Hungary in deepening the links between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Hungary's Eastern Opening Strategy, complete the construction of key projects such as the Hungary-Serbia railway in high quality, and promote further exchanges in culture, media and youth to strengthen people-to-people ties.

Sulyok in turn asked Zhao to convey his warm greetings to Xi Jinping.

Sulyok said Hungary and China are developing bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, trust, benefit and advantage, which is of great importance and present value.

The Hungarian president said that participation in the BRI is crucial for Hungary and described the Hungarian-Serbian railway project as a model of cooperation on important projects between the two sides.

He also expressed the hope that the two sides would continuously deepen cooperation in areas such as green energy, artificial intelligence, digital economy, humanities, youth and education.

In his meeting with Orbán, Zhao said Sino-Hungarian relations have seen a leap in recent years and are at their best level ever. He said China appreciates Hungary's consistent adherence to the one-China policy and is ready to further strengthen mutual support with the Hungarian side.

Zhao said China welcomes more high-quality agricultural and food products from Hungary and expects Hungary to provide political support and security guarantees for Chinese enterprises operating in the country.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, Zhao said China hopes and trusts that Hungary will continue to play an active role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

China will also work with Hungary to promote cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, Zhao added.

Orbán said that President Xi Jinping's state visit to Hungary last year was a milestone in the history of Hungarian-Chinese relations. He said the long history and culture of the two countries, characterised by independence and autonomy, formed a solid basis for their traditional friendship.

He attributed China's rise to its own efforts and noted that developing friendly cooperation with China is a strategic choice for Hungary that will help the country modernise technology and expand markets.

During the meeting with Kövér, Zhao said the NPC is ready to work with the Hungarian parliament to implement the results of Xi's visit last year and contribute to the development of China-Hungary relations at a high level and high quality.

He said both sides should strengthen exchanges at all levels of the legislature and should create, revise and approve legal documents that facilitate bilateral cooperation in a timely manner. Zhao also called for strengthening coordination and cooperation in multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Köver said that a rising China contributes to world peace and development and contributes to building a multipolar world, which is fully in line with Hungary's interests. He said the Hungarian parliament is ready to work with the NPC to provide firm support for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

CMG