Wang Yi Holds Talks with Hungarian Foreign Minister Sijaldo
On May 31, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Hungarian Foreign Minister Sijaldo in Guiyang.
Wang Yi said that the epidemic is still spreading, but communication between us has never been blocked. You are the first EU foreign minister to visit China after the outbreak of the epidemic last year. This time you made a special trip to Guiyang. You have demonstrated Hungary's clear attitude towards China with practical actions and demonstrated the strong momentum of development of China-Hungary relations.
Wang Yi said that China-Hungary friendly cooperation has achieved remarkable results in recent years. Co-created a lot of "firsts" --- Hungary is the first European country to sign the "Belt and Road" cooperation memorandum of understanding with China, it is the first Central and Eastern European country to set up a RMB clearing bank, the first European country to open a bilingual school for Hungarian and Chinese, and the first EU member to recognize and use Chinese vaccines. These "firsts" fully reflect the high-level and high-quality development of China-Hungary bilateral relations. We must seize the opportunity, take advantage of the situation, seek cooperation and overcome challenges together.
Wang Yi said that in the first quarter of this year, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries increased by 64.7% year-on-year, showing great resilience and potential. China’s investment in Hungary continues to grow, and it ranks first among China's investment destinations in Central and Eastern Europe. The direct freight services between Zhengzhou, Ningbo and Budapest have been successfully opened, building an "air bridge" for the economic and trade exchanges between the two sides under the epidemic situation, and effectively enhancing the status of Hungary as a logistics hub. China is willing to convene the third meeting of the China-Hungary "Belt and Road" working group with Hungary as soon as possible to deepen cooperation in infrastructure, logistics, education, agriculture and other fields, and inject new vitality into the development of China-Hungary relations.
Wang Yi said that in the face of the severe situation of the epidemic, Hungary has decided to take the lead in approving and using Chinese vaccines, showing a high degree of trust in Chinese vaccines. China has also overcome difficulties and provided timely and adequate supply, which has provided strong support to the Hungarian government in maintaining people's lives and health and restoring normal economic and social order. The two sides once again proved that each other is a trustworthy good partner, and a good friend who lends a helping hand in time when the other party has difficulties. China supports Chinese companies and Hungary in discussing joint filling and production of vaccines, and is willing to promote higher-level and broader health cooperation between the two countries and make greater contributions to the ultimate victory of human society against the epidemic.
Sijaldo said that we have met 12 times in the past seven years, which fully demonstrates the close relations between Hungary and China. Thanks to China for delivering multiple batches of vaccines to Hungary in time or even in advance when its own needs are very tense, protecting the lives of 1 million Hungarian people. We will never forget this. The epidemic is not a political issue, the virus has no political background, and vaccines are not ideological. Any "stigmatization" and mutual accusations are the last things that should not be done. Countries should strengthen cooperation with the World Health Organization and work together to fight the epidemic. Hungary sincerely hopes to strengthen cooperation with Chinese companies, promote the production of Chinese vaccines in Hungary, and benefit more countries and people.
Sijaldo stated that China was Hungary’s largest source of foreign investment last year, and bilateral trade achieved rapid growth in the first quarter of this year. Hungary is committed to implementing a fair investment policy and will not discriminate or treat any country or enterprise differently. Welcome Huawei and other Chinese companies to expand investment in Hungary and increase investment in R&D. Hungary hopes to expand exports of high-quality agricultural products to China and continuously improve the quality and level of economic cooperation between the two countries.
Sijaldo stated that China is a partner of Europe and has never interfered in the internal affairs of European countries. Hungary firmly supports the development of China-EU relations and the growth of the China-Central and Eastern Europe cooperation mechanism. Hungary opposes any words and deeds that weaken EU-China relations and supports the signing of a comprehensive investment agreement between Europe and China. It is not in Europe’s interest to freeze this process.
Photo and text reproduced from: "Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs"