Viktor Orban’s landslide re-election paves way for even closer Hungary-China ties
- In congratulatory call to his Hungarian counterpart, Chinese foreign minister stresses the importance of the nations’ relationship
- ‘Given the tense relationship between China and the EU, China needs Hungary more than ever before,’ notes an analyst in Budapest
China congratulated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on his electoral victory on Monday, after the self-styled “illiberal” leader swept to a super majority that will allow him to rapidly expand ties with Beijing.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the first post-election phone call, his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto was quoted as saying by a Chinese government statement, highlighting the importance of the relationship to Beijing.
The landslide victory came just two days after the most highly charged EU-China summit in history, where EU leaders pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping on his support for Russia.
By contrast on Monday, Szijjarto told Wang that “Hungary firmly supports EU-China friendship and will continue to play a constructive role in the development of EU-China relations with a respectful and pragmatic attitude.”
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Thousands march in Budapest against plan to build campus for China’s Fudan University
Tamas Matura, an assistant professor covering Hungarian-Chinese relations at Corvinus University of Budapest, said: “Given the tense relationship between China and the EU, China needs Hungary more than ever before. China has been losing friends here in Eastern Europe. So the friendship of Mr. Orban seems to be growing in importance.”
