Chinese Leader Xi Jinping Arrives in Hungary to Discuss Russian War in Ukraine and Infrastructure Projects
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Hungary, where he will meet with Prime Minister Viktor Orban today as part of his first European tour in five years.
The war in Ukraine and infrastructure projects between Beijing and Budapest will be on the agenda of the Chinese president's visit.
Hungary is an important partner for China in trade and investment, unlike other EU countries that are considering reducing their dependence on the world's second-largest economy.
In February, China offered Hungary cooperation in public security and law enforcement.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban began working to bring his country closer to Beijing immediately after coming to power in 2010. The warm political relationship turned into investment about 10 years later, when battery and electric vehicle manufacturers began to locate production in Hungary. One of the largest investors, CATL, is building a €7.3bn battery plant in Debrecen, while Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD announced late last year that it was building its first European plant in Szeged.
Prior to his visit to Hungary this week, Xi Jinping published an article in pro-government Hungarian media in which he described in glowing terms the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
As previously reported by The Gaze, Chinese President Xi Jinping began his announced European tour and first arrived in France for his first state visit since the coronavirus pandemic.
In turn, Hungary plans to sign at least 16 agreements with China during Xi Jinping's visit.