China, Hungary pledge to boost cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Feb 13, 2014. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Hungarian Prime Minister Orban Viktor on Thursday and they pledged to boost cooperation between the two countries.

Hailing the traditional friendship between China and Hungary, Xi said the Chinese people will not forget Hungary's precious help soon after the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949.

Xi lauded the development of the bilateral relationship over the 65 years since the establishment of China-Hungary diplomatic ties, especially over the past decade since they announced their friendly and cooperative partnership.

"The Chinese side stands ready to work with the Hungarian side, continue to support each other and boost cooperation in an all-round way to further step up the bilateral relationship," said the Chinese president, highlighting cooperation in finance, telecommunications, infrastructure and high technology.

Xi also called for cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations, both boasting long history and rich culture.

He said the world is a diversified one and the development path of a country should be decided by its own people.

"Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth," Xi said, noting that the Chinese people had chosen a path fit for the national conditions after a long period of trial and error.

Xi briefed Orban on China's national revival embodied by two major goals: the building of "a moderately prosperous society in all respects" by the time the Communist Party of China celebrates its centenary in 2021; and to turn China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious when the PRC marks its centennial in 2049.

"We have full confidence in our future," said the Chinese leader.

Orban said Hungary admires China for the great achievement of development and attributed China's success to the path taken by the Chinese people in accordance with China's own situation.

Hungary advocates multi-polarization of the world, supports China's peaceful development and attaches great importance to China's significant and constructive role on the world stage, said the prime minister.

Orban said the Hungarian side looks forward to more high-level interactions, continuous mutual support, closer practical cooperation and deeper friendship with the Chinese side.

During the meeting, Xi also reiterated China's endorsement for the integration of Europe and his great attention to the relationship with European countries.

For his part, Orban expressed his gratitude for China's backing for Europe and European integration, pledging to make further efforts to promote cooperation between China and Europe, especially between China and central and eastern European countries.

Orban arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a three-day official visit China, where he held talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on Wednesday, and met with China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Thursday.

According to a joint statement issued on Thursday, China and Hungary signed a series of deals on trade, investment, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges during Orban's visit.

In the statement, the two sides pledged to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and take care of each other's core interests and major concerns.

The two countries also reiterated opposition to all kinds of trade protectionism.

According to the statement, China welcomes Hungarian investment in China and will encourage Chinese enterprises to import more from, and invest more in, the European country.

The two sides also vowed to make joint efforts with the international community to fight terrorism and safeguard cyber security.