Last year, Hungary received 44% of Chinese investment in Europe. The country has become the main EU destination for Chinese investments, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said in Beijing on Tuesday.
According to a statement released by his ministry, the Hungarian minister stressed that this is his twenty-first meeting with his Chinese counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Wang Yi. This shows the importance that both countries attach to bilateral relations.
“Both the Chinese and Hungarian governments consider the development of this cooperation equally important. “Hungary has already benefited greatly from this cooperation and the good news is that the Chinese government is committed to maintaining this cooperation and its high quality in the future.” – said Szijjarto in Beijing.
He welcomed the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the results of which, he said, can be seen every day.
“Hungary is currently the main destination for Chinese investments in Europe. “Last year, 44% of Chinese investments in Europe went to Hungary.” – he emphasized.
The Hungarian minister also pointed out that, according to his office partner, Chinese companies feel comfortable in Hungary because this country, following a strategy of economic neutrality, is a “home” for both Eastern and Western investments.
“We do not discriminate against investors just because they came to Hungary from one of the cardinal points. All investors who respect Hungarian laws and regulations are free to operate in Hungary.” – said.
He then said that there are currently significant Chinese investments in Hungary worth more than HUF 4 trillion, which are creating tens of thousands of jobs and laying the foundation for the country’s economic growth in the coming years.
Szijjártó stressed that the number of tourists between the two countries is constantly growing; This year, the number of nights spent by Chinese “guests” in Hungary has already exceeded the pre-coronavirus peak.
He said that in this regard, negotiations will begin between the parties on changes in air cooperation with the aim of further increasing the number of flights between China’s main cities and Budapest from the current twenty-one per week.
In addition, cooperation in the field of higher education will be strengthened through the creation of the sixth Confucius Institute in Hungary, this time at Győr University.
Szijjártó also referred to the development of agricultural cooperation, highlighting that competent working groups have held their first meetings aimed at exporting Hungarian poultry and pigs to China, for which it will be necessary to conclude a special agreement.
“In the same way we will continue trilateral cooperation between Hungary, China and Serbia. “The construction of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line is a success story.” On this basis, Hungarians and Serbs are preparing the construction of a large automobile checkpoint on the border between Hungary and Serbia, which they intend to turn into the largest and most modern border crossing in Europe. The construction of an oil pipeline that will link Hungary with Serbia in Budapest would like to be carried out with Chinese participation.
The Hungarian minister stated that relations between the European Union and China should also be based on common sense. In this sense, he criticized the tariffs imposed by the EU on imports of Chinese electric vehicles. According to him, tariffs are dangerous for European competitiveness and the economy.
“The Chinese Foreign Minister has clearly said that they are in favor of negotiations, so they want cooperation between Europe and China to be better and more effective. “I believe that the European Union cannot avoid these negotiations.” – said Szijjarto.
Finally, the Hungarian minister also referred to the war in Ukraine. He expressed concern over the growing threat of escalation as “irresponsible statements and decisions” are constantly being made leading to the use of weapons of increasing destruction on the battlefield.
According to him, “Hungary and China are also strengthening the peace camp. Hungary and China ask for peace. “We agree that escalation should be avoided.”
“There are less than two months until January 20th. We are confident that President Trump’s peace efforts will be successful. However, for this to happen, it is necessary that until then no one makes the success of these long-awaited peaceful attempts impossible.” – added the Hungarian minister.
Szijjártó also said he was working to create a group of “friends of peace” at the United Nations, further acknowledging that the Sino-Brazilian peace proposal for Ukraine has never been more relevant than now.
“Hungary and China will remain united for peace in the future.” – said Szijjártó in conclusion.
