Xi and Orban. Photo source: Facebook
Xi Jinping arrived in Hungary to begin a “new journey” with Beijing’s closest ally in the European Union, amid divisions with the West over the Ukraine war and global trade. Xi Jinping began his day by attending a military parade in the courtyard of the presidential palace, alongside Hungarian head of state Tamas Sulyok, under a bright sun.
Xi Jinping compares relationship with Hungary to a “golden cruise”
Accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan, Xi Jinping was received at the airport by the nationalist prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, and his wife Aniko Levai. A dinner with traditional Hungarian specialties followed.
For this visit qualified as “historic” by Budapest, the capital of Hungary decorated in the colors of China was placed under increased security, and the few flags displayed by Tibetan demonstrators were carefully hidden from the eyes of the Chinese president.
In recent years, the central European country of Hungary, with 9.6 million inhabitants, has attracted a flood of major Chinese projects, mostly related to the manufacture of electric vehicles and batteries.
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Xi Jinping arrived in Hungary. Photo source: Facebook
Viktor Orban, praised by the Chinese president
Before his arrival, Xi Jinping compared bilateral relations with Hungary to a “golden cruise” in an article published in the pro-government daily Magyar Nemzet. “As smooth and rich as a Tokay wine”: In a lyrical elan, Xi paid tribute to the friendship cultivated by the two countries amid trials.
“We defied the geopolitical order together, in an unstable international context,” charting the course of “sovereign states in full independence,” wrote Xi Jinping, an allusion to Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s strategy of going it alone within the European Union.
At odds with Brussels, the Hungarian nationalist leader has turned decisively to the East in recent years. And while Brussels has distanced itself from Beijing, Orban has forged closer ties, rejecting ideological confrontation between “blocs”.
This almost three-day visit is an opportunity to “bring our strategic partnership to new heights”, from cultural exchanges to economic cooperation, estimated the Chinese head of state, given that the Asian superpower became the first investor in Hungary last year.
Xi Jinping arrived in Hungary. Photo source: Facebook
Xi Jinping’s visit to Hungary, considered a diplomatic success
In the opinion of some experts, this is a diplomatic success for Budapest, which has already announced the signing of at least 16 agreements, in areas such as railway and road infrastructures, nuclear or automotive energy.
All over Hungary, battery and electric car factories are springing up at an impressive pace, with investments of tens of billions of euros.
This raised concerns among the opposition, which denounced the lack of transparency surrounding the contracts, the impact of the factories on the environment and corruption, with the construction enriching, according to the opposition, “Orban’s circle”.
But during this last leg in Hungary, there were no topics of contention, and the media were kept at bay. Very few details about the program have been made public.
Xi Jinping arrived in Hungary. Viktor Orban photo source: Facebook
Money has no color
Starting at 17:30 (15:30 GMT), Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the Carmelite Monastery, the residence of the Hungarian Prime Minister, for a meeting with Viktor Orban, followed by a statement to the media.
“This is the opportunity to show the rest (of the) EU the virtues of cooperation with China. Also, he will not have to face delicate discussions about his relationship with Moscow,” emphasized Ja Ian Chong, a political scientist at the University of Singapore.
Because Beijing and Budapest are on the same wavelength, advocating for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, while remaining close to the Kremlin. Laszlo Toth, a 52-year-old security guard, believes that there are no reasons for Hungarians to show contempt for the Chinese president’s visit.
“Money has no color, as they say, and I’m sure even Western Europe would be delighted to benefit from such investments,” he said.
For his first trip to Europe after 2019, Xi Jinping also made a stopover in Serbia, another very friendly country, where President Aleksandar Vucic gave him a welcome characterized by “respect and love”, informs france24.com.
