Building on the above average positive relations with the former Orbán government, China is determined to keep the successful cooperation running with the new TISZA leadership. Only weeks in, meetings have taken place, talks were held in Hungary, and even messages were exchanged among the Prime Ministers of the two countries, informed Ambassador Gong Tao during his regular press conference in Budapest.

At his first international press conference following the parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Péter Magyar stated that China is one of the world’s most important and powerful countries, and that Hungary is open to pragmatic cooperation with China. Following the official formation of the new National Assembly and the new government, friendly exchanges have already begun between the leaders of the two countries, noted Ambassador Tao. In his congratulatory message to Prime Minister Péter Magyar, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized that he is ready to work with the new Hungarian government to strengthen high-level relations, deepen political trust, and expand practical cooperation and people-to-people ties. In his reply, Prime Minister Péter Magyar highlighted that the Hungarian government attaches great importance to its relations with China, regards China as an important economic partner, and is confident that bilateral relations will continue to develop.

File Photo of István Joó, CEO of the National Investment Promotion Agency (L) and Gong Tao, Chinese Ambassador to Hungary. Photo: MTI/Kocsis Zoltán

The Ambassador informed that he has begun making initial contacts with the leaders of the new National Assembly and the new government. On May 9, at the inaugural session of the new National Assembly, he had the opportunity to meet in person with Speaker of the House Ágnes Forsthoffer, Foreign Minister Anita Orbán, and Business Minister István Kapitány. Subsequently, he was also invited to the diplomatic reception hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 12, where he was again able to exchange views with Foreign Minister Anita Orbán on the development of Sino-Hungarian relations. These meetings reflected both sides’ intention to seek common interests through dialogue and to promote the high-level development of Sino-Hungarian relations, the diplomat said.

In his assessment, practical cooperation between the two countries continues to show positive momentum. Next week, the China Brand Fair supplier exhibition will open in Budapest, which will also feature a China-Hungary Business Forum. The event will help strengthen industry ties and support Hungarian companies’ entry into the Chinese market. China remains committed to maintaining close ties and dialogue with Hungary’s new government and various stakeholders in society, deepening practical cooperation, the ambassador told reporters.

The Chinese head of mission also spoke about relations between China and the European Union. China consistently supports the process of European integration and has always viewed its relations with Europe from a strategic and long-term perspective and believes that Europe is an important partner for a China-style modernization.

Photo via Twitter/CATL

Hungary is an important member state of the European Union, the Ambassador added. China is pleased to see that Hungary is strengthening its ties with EU institutions and other member states, and is playing an active and constructive role within the European Union. The Ambassador expressed his conviction that Hungary can play an even more important role in the future in promoting cooperation between China and the European Union. The improvement of Sino-European relations may also open up even broader opportunities for the development of Sino-Hungarian relations, he concluded.

Answering a journalist’s question about Péter Magyar’s pre-election pledge to inspect and publish all contracts signed between the government of Viktor Orbán and Chinese investor, Ambassador Tao has replied that they have not received any official request of this nature yet, but they are prepared to cooperate with the new leadership in the spirit of transparency.

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