Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) meets with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

China appreciates Hungary's commitment to being a force for peace and stability in Europe amid the complex international situation. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also commended Hungary for steadfastly deepening cooperation with China despite interference and pressure during a meeting with visiting Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in Beijing on Wednesday.

The top Chinese diplomat also said China hopes Hungary will promote a rational and friendly view of China's development in the EU, encourage the bloc to pursue a more proactive and pragmatic policy toward China, and strengthen strategic communication between China and the EU.

During his talk with Szijjarto, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Hungary has unique influence and a commitment to independence, noting it has long adhered to a friendly policy toward China.

China-Hungarian relations are based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, with a positive momentum in various fields of exchange and cooperation, said Wang. China is confident in the development of bilateral relations and practical cooperation.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, presenting a new important opportunity for the two countries, said Wang. He noted that China is willing to maintain close communication with Hungary, implement the important consensus of the leaders of both countries, continue the traditional friendship between China and Hungary, deepen political mutual trust, promote cooperation in building the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and advance bilateral relations to a higher level.

China appreciates Hungary's commitment to being a force for peace and stability in Europe amid the complex and intertwined international situation, and commends Hungary for steadfastly deepening cooperation with China despite interference and pressure, said Wang.

Wang said the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Hungary in various fields has yielded fruitful results, benefiting not only the two peoples but also demonstrating that China is an opportunity rather than a challenge, and a partner rather than a competitor for Europe.

As Hungary will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of this year, China hopes that Hungary will promote a rational and friendly view of China within the EU, encourage the bloc to adopt more proactive and pragmatic policy towards China, strengthen strategic communication between China and Europe, create more positive expectations for mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the sustained, stable, and healthy development of China-EU relations, said Wang.

Szijjarto said China is a major country with global influence, and Hungary welcomes China to play a greater role in maintaining world peace and stability.

In the current turbulent international situation, the strong and powerful development of Hungary-China and Europe-China relations is particularly important.

Over the past 75 years of diplomatic relations, the solid mutual trust and friendly cooperation between Hungary and China have translated into tangible results, bringing great benefits to the Hungarian people, said Szijjarto.

He stressed that Hungary opposes "decoupling" and always believes that viewing China as a threat will only lead to missed opportunities, while treating China as a partner is the right choice.

Hungary welcomes China to further increase investment in Hungary, and is willing to promote key project construction within the framework of the BRI, continuously deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields between Hungary and China, elevate bilateral relations to a new level, and promote stable and healthy development of Europe-China relations.

The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on common concerns such as the Ukraine crisis.

Global Times