President Xi Jinping speaks with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on the phone

On the evening of 15 May, President Xi Jinping spoke with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on the phone.

Xi stressed that at this special moment of the joint fight against COVID-19, the Chinese and the Hungarian people have stood side by side and reached out to each other. In firm support of the Hungarian government and people’s fight against the disease, China will continue to provide help to the best of its ability. Xi expressed confidence that under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the courageous and unyielding Hungarian people will prevail over the virus at an early date. Xi reiterated China’s staunch support for the UN and the WHO in playing their due role in global anti-epidemic cooperation. China will work with Hungary and other countries to forge an effective global response and stem the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, it is important to step up macroeconomic policy coordination to cushion the impact on the world economy.

Xi noted that emerging from the test of COVID-19, the traditional friendship between China and Hungary will grow deeper and bilateral cooperation will enjoy broader prospects. The two sides need to make good plans for the development of the bilateral relationship in the post-COVID-19 era, including steps to keep high-level interactions, strengthen trade, investment and other traditional areas of cooperation, explore digital economy, artificial intelligence and other emerging areas, and promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges. He added that he looks forward to meeting with the Prime Minister at an early date when the outbreak is over, to jointly elevate the China-Hungary comprehensive strategic partnership and China’s cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) to higher levels.

Orbán extended congratulations to the Chinese people on successfully controlling the situation after arduous efforts. He said that the Hungarian people will never forget and are deeply grateful for China’s timely assistance of badly needed medical supplies. Hungary remains firmly committed to the one-China policy. The good high-tech cooperation between the two countries has helped advance Hungary’s economic development. Hungary is ready to strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, finance and other areas with China and will continue to support and participate in the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism as always.