Wang Yi holds meetings with Hungary's foreign minister, prime minister to bolster ties

China's top diplomat Wang Yi has embarked on his Hungary visit and held separate meetings with the country's prime minister and foreign minister in Budapest. Wang pointed out that a friendly relationship with Hungary would help forge the healthy development of China-Europe ties.

He will head to Germany for the Munich Security Conference and deliver a speech at the three-day event later this week.

Wang, also a member of the Politburo, had conversations with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto in the country's capital city.

Wang noted that his trip was meant to deepen bilateral ties and expand cooperation, while expressing the belief that Hungary will stick to its longstanding friendly policy toward China.

He mentioned Chinese businesses were gaining ground in investment and operations there which have effectively contributed to economic development and improved livelihoods of Hungary.

Wang added robust China-Hungary ties would promote healthy, stable development of China's relationship with the European Union.

He said, "Over the course of 70-plus years since establishing diplomatic ties, China and Hungary have always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, which set an example of a new type of international relations."

Wang ramped up his call on the two sides to jointly consolidate the foundation of mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and enhance people-to-people exchanges. This as he urged more efforts to address the deficit in global governance.

The foreign minister also underlined the success of China-Hungary relations manifests that differences in culture and social systems are not obstacles to dialogue and cooperation, and that mutual respect is the right way for countries to get along with each other.

For his part, Szijjarto stated his country has consistently valued its friendship with China, highlighting China's pivotal role as a major global player as the international order undergoes a profound transformation.

After the talks, Wang met with the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban with both parties vowing to advance all-round cooperation.

Wang welcomes the Hungarian side to continue riding the express train of Chinese modernisation, sharing opportunities and bolstering development together.

Orban expressed admiration for China's development achievements, saying Chinese enterprises have ranked first among the investors in Hungary for consecutive years and brought tangible benefits to locals.