Xi Jinping celebrates “relationships at a peak” in Hungary: “Sovereign countries in complete independence”

On the final stop of his European tour, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday praised his country’s strong ties with Hungary. The two countries have deep economic cooperation and have similar positions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Xi started his visit to Hungary with a military parade alongside Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok. Afterwards, the Chinese head of state had a meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orban at his residence.

“Relations between China and Hungary are at their peak,” Xi Jinping said, according to a report from Chinese authorities. He previously praised in a contribution to the pro-government newspaper Magyar Nemzet that China and Hungary are charting their own path as “sovereign countries in complete independence”.

A nod to the direction of Orban, the nationalist prime minister who openly rejects the European Union and is increasingly turning to the East. Because while the EU distanced itself from Beijing, Orban strengthened ties. China has been the first foreign investor in Hungary since last year.

Sixteen chords

Budapest has already announced that at least sixteen agreements will be signed, covering investments in rail infrastructure and roads as well as in energy and the automotive sector. Batteries and electric car factories are being set up across the country at an impressive pace, requiring investments of tens of billions of euros.

The opposition is concerned about this development. She criticizes the lack of transparency about contracts, the environmental impact of the factories and corruption. The buildings enrich “Orban’s circle”, it is said.