Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday, announcing the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.[Special Coverage]
Orban is in Beijing to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation scheduled for May 14 to 15.
The establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership reflects the reality of developing China-Hungary ties and will create vast room for bilateral cooperation, Xi said.
The president called for close alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with Hungary's Eastern Opening policy and enhanced top-level planning for all-round cooperation.
Stressing the need to explore the potential for cooperation, Xi said the two countries should continue pushing forward major projects such as the Hungary-Serbia railway project, expanding financial cooperation, increasing people-to-people exchanges, and strengthening cooperation in culture, education, tourism, and local authorities.
For his part, Orban said Hungary is willing to work with China to carry forward the comprehensive strategic partnership.
Speaking highly of China's economic and social development, progress made in the country's poverty alleviation in particular, Orban said China's market economy status is indisputable.
Noting that the Belt and Road construction will offer important opportunities for all countries, Orban said Hungary is willing to actively participate in relevant cooperation.
