Chinese premier holds talks with Hungarian PM

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. Orban is here to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay an official visit to the country. [Photo by Liu Bin/Xinhua]

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday held talks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Beijing.

Li said the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Hungary has achieved fruitful results in recent years and set a good example for fostering a new type of international relations.

Li pointed out that China is willing to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Hungary's "Opening to the East" policy more closely and make joint efforts to promote the continuous upgrade of pragmatic cooperation in trade, investment, finance and other fields.

China will step up the Budapest-Belgrade Railway project and expand innovative cooperation in the fields of new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, the premier said.

China stands ready to work with Hungary to make global governance more just and equitable, Li said, adding that China's development is an opportunity rather than a challenge, and a driving force rather than a risk for Europe.

Orban said Hungary will continue to actively participate in Belt and Road cooperation, support connectivity and open cooperation, and oppose decoupling and isolation.

After the talks, Li and Orban witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in sectors including Belt and Road cooperation, education, supply chains, development policies, digital economy and green development. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds a welcoming ceremony for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban prior to their talks at the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 16, 2023. Orban is here to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay an official visit to the country. [Photo by Liu Bin/Xinhua]