Eighteen Agreements Signed during the Chinese Presidential Visit

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (R4) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (L5) during a plenary meeting at the Carmelite Monastery

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Hungary is of historic significance, and the summit between the two countries produced results that correspond to this, with the parties signing eighteen important agreements, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced in Budapest on Thursday.

The Minister described the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Budapest as a historic one, as the last time the Chinese President visited Hungary was 20 years ago, and this year the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. “The President and the Prime Minister had very successful negotiations today, resulting in the signing of eighteen agreements,” he said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport on May 8, 2024. Next to him is his wife, Peng Liyuan. MTI/Koszticsák Szilárd

The Foreign Minister made the following announcements:

The list of joint projects between the two countries has been expanded under China’s One Belt, One Road strategy to develop East-West connectivity. On this basis, preparations will begin for the construction of a railway ring bypassing Budapest as part of a joint Sino-Hungarian development. As the Minister noted, there is a great need for this because there is significant Chinese investment in the eastern half of Hungary, but the products produced here will be sold mainly in the western part of Europe.
Preparations are also underway for a high-speed rail link to provide fast access from the airport to the center of Budapest. Hungary already offers direct connections to seven major Chinese cities with nineteen flights a week.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at a reception in the courtyard of the Buda Castle on May 9. Behind them are President Tamás Sulyok and his wife Zsuzsanna Nagy. Photo: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Benko Vivien Cher

Preparations are underway to develop an electric car charging network in Hungary, to ensure that electric cars can be charged as quickly as possible in as many parts of the country as possible.
The construction of Europe’s most modern, largest, safest and fastest border crossing point between Hungary and Serbia will start.
Jointly explore with Serbian and Chinese partners the possibility of building an oil pipeline between Hungary and Serbia as quickly as possible. This would contribute to the security of energy supply for both countries and thus for the whole region.

President Tamás Sulyok receives Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) with military salute at the Buda Castle on May 9. Photo: MTI/Koszticsák Szilárd

The parties discussed the further expansion of cooperation between BYD and Hungary.
The Foreign Minister stressed that agricultural exports play an important role in bilateral trade, especially given that Hungary has the largest number of Chinese export licenses in Central Europe. The range of products concerned will be further extended following yesterday’s agreement, for instance cherries will be added to the list.

Peng Liyuan (right), wife of Xi Jinping, and Zsuzsanna Nagy, wife of Tamás Sulyok, Hungarian President, painting at the Herend Porcelain Manufactory porcelain painting demonstration at the Buda Castle on May 9. Photo: MTI/Máthé Zoltán

Minister Szijjártó described his latest announcement as “bringing a new dimension to bilateral relations.” The two sides agreed to prepare a cooperation program for the whole nuclear industry. This will be done in order to ensure that the cheapest, safest and most efficient way of producing electricity can be properly applied by both countries. In this context, the Minister noted that the demand for electricity will continue to grow steeply around the world in the coming years and that nuclear energy is the best way to meet this demand.

“This visit is therefore historic, and today’s result is worthy of this historic visit,” Péter Szijjártó concluded.

Related articlePresident Xi Jinping Receives Military Welcome at Buda Castle

The Chinese Head of State is on a state visit to Hungary until Friday.Continue reading

Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Benko Vivien Cher

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