China's leader arrives in Hungary to discuss Ukraine and infrastructure plans
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Budapest on Wednesday evening after completing visits to France and Serbia as part of his European tour. Today, May 9, he is scheduled to discuss topics with Hungarian officials, including Russia's war against Ukraine and infrastructure projects on the agenda.
Reuters reports this.
Observers have pointed out that the Chinese leader will likely be warmly welcomed in Hungary, as the country is a significant trade and investment partner. This sets it apart from other EU nations, which are currently considering diversifying from the PRC and decreasing their reliance on it.
Earlier on Wednesday, Xi Jinping wrote in the pro-government daily Magyar Nemzet that he had "developed a deep friendship" with Hungarian politicians and that Hungary was "the number one target in the Central and Eastern European region for Chinese investment."
Before leaving for Budapest, Xi held talks in Paris with President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who pressed the Chinese leader to ensure more balanced trade with Europe and use his influence with Moscow to end Russia's war on Ukraine.
It should be noted that before the meeting with the President of the People's Republic of China, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, stated at a briefing that the issue of Ukraine would be one of the essential items on the agenda of the negotiations in Budapest.
According to the Hungarian minister, Hungary and China, currently commemorating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, are anticipated to ink approximately 16-18 fresh collaborations, potentially including a significant infrastructure undertaking as part of China's expansive Belt and Road initiative.
Budapest, like Serbia, supports the Chinese initiative. Xi launched the Belt and Road Initiative to connect Asia with Africa and Europe ten years ago through global infrastructure and energy networks.
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In February, China offered Hungary cooperation on public safety and law enforcement issues.
It should also be noted that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán began working on bringing his country closer to Beijing immediately after coming to power in 2010. About ten years later, battery and electric vehicle manufacturers began moving production to Hungary.
From the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, China has maintained a purportedly neutral stance. It has refrained from officially condemning Moscow but has voiced support for Ukraine's sovereignty.
At the same time, Beijing continues to trade with Moscow, and Chinese companies sell some weapons to Russia.
Earlier, China published its "peace plan" for Ukraine, but it was criticized. China also advocated holding a peace conference regarding Ukraine, but they want representatives of Moscow to be present at it.
The other day, while in Paris, Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke with French President Macron about potential solutions to end the war. Additionally, as reported by The New York Times, he firmly rejected any criticism of Beijing's ties with Russia against the background of the war with Ukraine.
After official talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, Xi Jinping said that China advocates the path of negotiations and will support a peace conference that will unite all parties and be recognized by Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
