NPC Chairman Meets Hungarian Former PM 　　Li Peng, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met here today with Horn Gyula, former prime minister of Hungary and former chairman of the Hungarian Socialist Party (HSP). 　　Li said that China and Hungary enjoy a long-term friendship and bilateral relations in politics, economy, science, technology, military and culture have witnessed steady development in recent years, despite the drastic changes in their domestic and international situation. 　　The close contact between the leaders of the two countries has advanced Sino-Hungarian ties, Li said. He said that China attaches importance to its relations with Hungary and respects the decision of the Hungarian people for their development path, as well as their domestic and foreign policies. 　　Li expressed appreciation for Hungary's adherence to its policy for friendship with China. He expressed hope that the two countries would make joint efforts to advance their friendly relations. 　　Li, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), spoke highly of the contributions made by the HSP to the growth of Sino-Hungarian relations. 　　He said that the reason why the CPC has actively conducted international exchanges is to strive for a peaceful international environment for China's modernization drive and contribute to world peace and development. 　　The continued growth of the friendly cooperation between the CPC and HSP on the basis of independence, equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs conforms to the interests of the two countries and their people, Li said. 　　It is imperative for the two parties to further advance bilateral relations under the current complicated international situation so as to make new contributions to the development of the two countries' relations, he said. 　　Horn said that the international community has closely followed the reform and opening up in China and has given much credit to China's rapid development. 　　China's experience is worth studying and learning from, he noted. 　　Hungary appreciates China's choice to respect different nations for their development path, Horn said, adding he hopes that Hungary-China ties will continue to grow. 　　Horn and his party are visiting China as guests of the CPC. (Xinhua) HomeNews 1999-10-27 Page4 Full Story in Chinese