Li Keqiang Meets with Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary

On April 25, 2019, Premier Li Keqiang met with Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Li Keqiang said that at the moment, China-Hungary relations maintain healthy and stable development, adding that the two countries have achieved fruitful cooperation outcomes in traditional economic sectors, and also enjoyed broad prospects for cooperation in new forms of industry and new economy. The small and medium-sized enterprises of both countries are full of creativity and are highly complementary to each other. China is willing to align the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with development strategies of Hungary, follow the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and seek mutual benefit and win-win results. I am very happy to learn that the joint venture company of China and Hungary won the bidding for the Hungarian section of the Budapest-Belgrade railway, which is the key progress of the project. We are willing to work with the Hungarian side to promote the financing and construction process of the project to comply with international standards as well as the principle of openness and transparency. China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation (“16+1 cooperation”) is a platform for practical cooperation which is conducive to the solidarity of the European Union (EU) and the European integration process. China stands ready to work with the Hungarian side to enhance the cooperation for more results to boost relations between China and CEEC as well as China-EU relations.

Viktor Orban noted that the Hungarian side highly appreciates the positive role the Chinese side has played in promoting the modernization of Hungary for a long time, and welcomed Chinese businesses to expand investment in Hungary. The Hungarian side highly values the BRI, a crucial platform in promoting free trade, and will continue to actively participate in the joint building of the BRI. As the 16+1 cooperation has blazed new trails for the development of CEEC and China-EU relations, the Hungarian side is willing to work with the Chinese side to push the cooperation for greater development at the new starting point.

Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Viktor Orban witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents after the meeting.