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Zhao Leji on Budapest

Strong partner advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Zhao Leji strongly supports deepening the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership with Hungary, centered on Budapest meetings.

Key Points

  • He held talks with Speaker Laszlo Kover in Budapest on July 25, 2025, witnessing the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the legislative bodies.

  • He emphasized making the Hungary-Serbia Railway a model project for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation during an inspection on July 27, 2025.

  • He conveyed President Xi Jinping’s greetings to Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok, noting the elevated China-Hungary relations to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in May 2024.

Summary

Zhao Leji, in his capacity as Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, paid an official goodwill visit to Budapest, Hungary, from July 24 to 28, 2025. During this visit, he held meetings with key Hungarian leaders, including President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban, alongside talks with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Laszlo Kover. The core of his position is to foster mutual trust and win-win cooperation, specifically by promoting the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Hungary's 'Eastern Opening' strategy, as well as ensuring the high-quality completion of landmark infrastructure projects like the Budapest-Belgrade railway link.

His engagement in Budapest served to advance the high-level outcomes established during President Xi Jinping's state visit in May 2024, which elevated relations to an 'all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era.' He expressed China's appreciation for Hungary’s adherence to the one-China principle and looked forward to Hungary playing an active role in promoting sound China-EU relations, especially as the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties approached. The visit included inspections of the China Cultural Center and the Hungarian section of the railway, symbolizing a commitment to close people-to-people ties and practical economic cooperation that benefits both nations.

Key Quotes

China is willing to work with Hungary to be good friends with mutual respect and mutual trust, good partners with mutual benefits and win-win results, and good brothers who understand and care for each other.

China appreciates Hungary's adherence to the one-China principle and is willing to continue strengthening mutual support with the Hungarian side, Zhao said.

Frequently Asked Questions

Zhao Leji views Budapest as a key location for cementing strong bilateral ties between China and Hungary. His position is one of strong advocacy for deepening cooperation across economic, cultural, and legislative fields, as demonstrated by his official visit there in July 2025. He actively promotes the synergy between major initiatives, like the Belt and Road Initiative, during his engagements with Hungarian leadership.

Yes, during his goodwill visit to Hungary in late July 2025, Zhao Leji held separate meetings in Budapest with Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He also held talks with the Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, Laszlo Kover, in the capital city. These meetings were central to his diplomatic agenda concerning bilateral cooperation.

When meeting with officials in Budapest, Zhao Leji highlighted the importance of completing landmark projects such as the Hungary-Serbia Railway with high quality. Furthermore, he encouraged exchanges in culture, media, and youth to foster closer people-to-people ties. He also inspected the China Cultural Center during his visit to the capital.

Sources8

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.