Arrival Statement by H.E. Xi Jinping President of the People’s Republic of China At Budapest Airport, Hungary

May 8, 2024

I am delighted to pay a state visit to the beautiful country of Hungary at the gracious invitation of President Tamás Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. On behalf of the government and people of China, I wish to extend heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the Hungarian government and people.

Hungary is known for its time-honored history and profound cultural heritage. The Hungarian people are industrious, intelligent, open, inclusive, pioneering and creative. In recent years, the government and people of Hungary have been forging ahead with determination, making impressive progress in economic and social development. As a good friend and a comprehensive strategic partner, we in China, both the government and people, heartily rejoice over your achievements.

China and Hungary are good friends and good partners of mutual trust. In 1949, Hungary was one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. In 2004, we decided to forge a friendly and cooperative partnership. In 2017, the bilateral relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, upgrading and speeding up the mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthening the popular support for traditional China-Hungary friendship. In recent years, our two sides have seen frequent high-level exchanges, deepening mutual trust, fruitful outcomes in Belt and Road cooperation, vibrant people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and close coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs. Together, we have set a fine example of building a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation. 

This year marks the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, bringing an important opportunity for the growth of bilateral relations. I look forward to meeting with President Tamás Sulyok, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other Hungarian leaders. We will jointly outline a new blueprint for cooperation and development, with a view to steering the China-Hungary relationship forward in big strides and taking it to a higher level. I believe that no matter how the international landscape evolves, China and Hungary will always view and approach the bilateral relationship from a broad perspective and a long-term view. Through vigorous and determined endeavors, we will work together toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and make our due contribution to world peace, stability, development and prosperity. I am confident that, with the two sides' concerted efforts, this visit will be a complete success and usher in an even brighter future of the China-Hungary relationship.