In a notable deviation from the European Union’s weariness towards China’s global political stance, position on trade, and human rights record, Hungary has welcomed Xi Jinping with open arms. The last destination of Mr Xi’s initial European trip in half a decade, he received a grand reception from the Hungarian president Tamás Sulyok at Buda Castle in Budapest. He proceeded to meet with Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister and the longest-serving leader within the EU, who has actively worked on strengthening relations with Beijing and derailed EU resolutions against China’s violations of human rights.
Late on Wednesday, Mr Xi arrived in Hungary, having visited Serbia and France ahead of his visit. Mr Orbán greeted him at the airport, marking his arrival with a welcoming message and a photo of them shaking hands on social media platform X. Bálasz Orbán, the prime minister’s political director (not a relative), conveyed to local press that Mr Xi’s visit validates Hungary’s efficacious connectivity approach. In a piece for Euronews, he expressed hope that rational minds might soon hold sway.
The European Union labelled China as “a systemic rival” in 2019, and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, stated in the previous year that Europe should lessen its reliance on China, mentioning reducing dependence on Chinese supply chains as one element of this.
Celebrating 75 years of diplomatic ties, Hungary has openly distanced itself from the EU’s approach towards China. The central European country has been a significant recipient of Chinese investments and accommodates Huawei’s largest headquarters outside China. Additionally, China’s car producer BYD is preparing to establish a factory for electric cars in southern Hungary’s Szeged, its premier production line for electric vehicles in Europe, setting up a robust competition within the EU for Europe-based companies.
In his statement published on Xinhua, China’s state news agency, Mr Xi claimed the relationship between China and Hungary is presently at its historical best. He stated that “each side should stick to a cooperative win-win strategy, enhancing cooperation across multiple domains within the context of Belt-and-Road cooperation, and interrelating their respective progress plans.”
Péter Szijjártó, the Hungarian Foreign Minister, disclosed that President Xi’s visit could result in the signing of approximately 16-18 collaborations, potentially including a significant infrastructure project under China’s expansive Belt and Road initiative.
In contrast, an incident occurred recently when a group of men, all wearing fiery red baseball caps, provocatively approached a politician from the rival Momentum party in Hungary. The politician, Márton Tompos, was placing EU flags on a bridge in Budapest in conjunction with a colleague, when they were confronted by the men. The intention of this confrontation was seemingly to prevent the placement of any symbols or flags representing regions like Tibet or Taiwan, over which China has claimed jurisdiction, along the route of President Xi’s motorcade.
Prior to Hungary, President Xi was in Serbia, where he was received with similar warmth. The Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, reiterated to Mr. Xi, “Taiwan is China”, reflecting Serbia’s longstanding support for China’s assertion of sovereignty over the autonomous island. In return, China validates Serbia’s assertion over Kosovo.
In addition, the European Commission’s President, Ms von der Leyen, sternly warned Xi during his visit to France. She emphasised that Europe has no qualms about defending its industries against China’s state-funded electric cars, steel, solar and wind technologies. The European Commission actively encourages an alternative to the Belt and Road initiative, known as the Global Gateway, as a means to finance infrastructure projects globally. – Guardian