Hungary’s pro-eastern policy meets China’s pro-western policy, says ambassador

Budapest, December 7 (MTI) – Hungary’s policy of opening towards the east meets China’s policy of opening to the west, and this opens up new opportunities for the two countries, China’s ambassador to Hungary said on Sunday.

Addressing a forum for college students in Lakitelek, in southeast Hungary, Xiao Qian said Hungary plays a role of a regional hub in China’s new policies. He said Hungary and China will become closer through joint goals and strategies.

After giving an account of Chinese history, the ambassador likened the policy of opening to the west to the Silk Road which connected Asia with Europe.

China will never forget that after WWII, Hungary was the among the first ones to recognise the People’s Republic of China, he said, noting that the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Hungary and China was celebrated this year.

Bilateral relations are built on trust, marked by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to China in February, and bilateral trade — at 8.5 billion dollars last year — is growing, he said.

China is contributing to the upgrade the Belgrade-Budapest rail line, and Chinese investments in Hungary now total 3 billion dollars, the largest in the region, he added.

Photo: MTI – Sandor Ujvari

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters