Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Martonyi Janos and his party in Beijing.

Zhu said that China and Hungary enjoy a friendly relationship since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 50 years ago. The Chinese government attaches importance to its ties with Hungary in various fields and is ready to further advance bilateral cooperative relations in the next century.

The premier expressed his appreciation for Hungary's consistent adherence to the "one China" policy.

Martonyi told Zhu that Hungary will open both to the Western countries and to the Asian countries including China. He said that Hungary values its ties with China and his present China tour is aimed at paving the way for the China visit by the Hungarian prime minister next year, which he believes will further promote Hungary- China friendly relations.

Martonyi is visiting China as the guest of his Chinese counterpart Tang Jiaxuan.