Stressing their cooperation during the Covid pandemic, when Hungary became the first EU country to authorize a Chinese-made vaccine, and “mutually beneficial cooperation” on infrastructure, the Chinese leader praised Hungary as an “important trading partner and the number one target country for Chinese investments in the Central and Eastern European region.”
Following a stop in France, Xi is spending the rest of his five-day tour in Southeastern Europe, a region that Beijing has used as a foothold for its strategic ambitions on the continent.
Tensions have been simmering between the EU and China over Beijing’s tacit support for Russia’s war on Ukraine and a looming trade conflict between Europe and China.
Like its neighbor Serbia — where President Aleksandar Vučić is hosting Xi on Wednesday — Hungary has been open to Chinese investments.
As the first EU country to participate in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Hungary has sought a middle ground between West and East by cementing close ties with the Chinese Communist Party.
Xi also used the opportunity to stress the importance of China-EU relations, claiming that “their cooperation is greater than their competition, and there is more agreement than disagreement” and — similar to the Serbia letter — pushing for a “fair and orderly multipolar world.”
