The President of the Republic Tamás Sulyok received Chinese President Xi Jinping in a solemn military ceremony in the Lion's Court of the Buda Castle. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was also present at the event.
At the plenary meeting held in the Alexander Palace, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that cooperation between the two countries is based on mutual respect and trust. The Chinese president also quoted a Hungarian proverb, according to which: "A true friend is known in trouble."
In this regard, Tamás Sulyok recalled the Basic Law of Hungary, which states: "We respect the freedom and culture of other peoples, we strive for cooperation with all the nations of the world."
Hungary sees East-West cooperation not as a threat, but as an opportunity, which is why Hungary remains ready to form a bridge between East and West, added the Hungarian head of state.
The parties agreed that good political relations and mutual trust provided and provide a strong and solid foundation for the expansion of economic, trade, investment and personal relations. The practical implementation of the strengthening of economic relations is the modernization of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, and the fact that direct flights from Budapest will soon be launched to seven major Chinese cities, and Hungary has also initiated China's visa-free program.
As a result of the educational relations established between the two countries, 2,481 students from China studied in Hungary in the fall semester of 2022/2023, which shows that Hungarian universities are popular among Chinese students. It operates in a Hungarian-Chinese Bilingual Elementary School and High School in Hungary, where, in a unique way in Europe, education takes place in Hungarian and Chinese. Confucius Institutes operate in the five largest Hungarian cities (Budapest, Szeged, Miskolc, Pécs, Debrecen).
Hungary has taken important steps in the transition to the green electric car industry, which is given further impetus by the fact that the Chinese BYD, the world's largest electric car manufacturer, will establish its first European car factory in Szeged. CATL's HUF 3,000 billion ($8.3 billion) investment in Debrecen is the largest green field investment in Hungary's history so far.
Xi Jinping thanked for the extremely warm welcome and expressions of sincere friendship.
The Chinese head of state wished success to Hungary's successive EU presidency, expressing his hope for the deepening of relations and the promotion of pragmatic cooperation.
At the end of the official visit, the Chinese President invited the Hungarian President to Beijing. Tamás Sulyok accepted the invitation.
In the meantime, the press also found out that the high-ranking Chinese guest likes Hungarian cuisine, and you can also find out what will be served to him at the gala dinner that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will give in honor of Xi Jinping.
The prime minister welcomes his guests with rooster soup and roast veal: the appetizer will be spring stuffed cabbage with mangalica, then there will be rooster soup, and then the main course will be roast veal, Kedvessy style. Finally, the gala dinner ends with Gundel pancakes.
Selected Hungarian wines are also offered for the meals.
The Hungarian Prime Minister is also preparing for the meeting with a gift. He gives his guest a special and unique Herend porcelain.
MTI
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Cover photo: President of the Republic Tamás Sulyok receives Chinese President Xi Jinping (center, right) with a military salute in the Lion's Court of the Budavári Palace
Source: MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák
