Premier Li seeks stronger China-Hungary ties

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang expressed hope Wednesday that China and Hungary could tap their 65-year diplomatic ties to further enhance bilateral relations.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During a telephone hook-up with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban, Li said he hoped both sides took the opportunity to strengthen exchanges, and push ahead cooperation on key projects, such as the construction of the Hungary-Serbia railway and a loop railway in Budapest.

Li also said he hoped both sides strengthen cooperation in such fields as agriculture, animal husbandry and tourism to further boost bilateral ties as well as cooperation between China and central and eastern European (CEE) countries.

Li said Orban paid a successful visit to China early this year and both sides agreed to further consolidate their traditional friendship and deepen bilateral cooperation, adding that agencies in both countries currently were implementing the visit's achievements.

Orban said Hungary's new government would be committed to furthering Hungary-China ties and would work with China to prepare celebration activities for the anniversary, implement cooperation on key projects, and deepen cooperation in such areas as agriculture.

Hungary was willing to actively boost Central and Eastern Europe-China and Europe-China cooperation further, he said.