Xi meets Hungarian prime minister

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is here to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, in Beijing, capital of China, April 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is here to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Noting China and Hungary established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2017, Xi said that the bilateral relations have entered a new historical stage.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and China looks forward to working with Hungary to push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height, Xi said.

The two countries should maintain high-level exchanges, enhance mutual respect and trust, step up practical cooperation and broaden people-to-people and cultural exchanges, he noted.

Xi called on the two sides to implement cooperation projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), such as the railway line between Hungary and Serbia.

He hopes that Hungary will play a greater role in promoting cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs).

The prime minister said Hungary's future largely depends on its relations with China and the country firmly believes that China will play a more active role in the complicated and ever-changing world.

The BRI is not a threat, but an opportunity, said Orban, adding that Hungary firmly supports the initiative and actively participates in Belt and Road construction.

Hungary is willing to promote the overall development of Europe-China relations through the China-CEEC cooperation platform, said Orban.