Chinese President Xi Jinping has spoken with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban on the pandemic and cooperation between the two nations.
As part of the call Orban expressed Hungary's gratitude for China's cooperation in delivering COVID-19 vaccines. He also touched on the diplomatic relationship between the two nations and promised to keep championing cooperation between China and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
Hungary's vaccination program has relied heavily on the Chinese made Sinopharm vaccine. Hungary became the first EU country to use the jab back in February and has since received regular shipments after ordering 5 million doses.
Close to 40 percent of the Hungarian population have had at least one dose of the five vaccines on offer in the country.
READ MORE
The bilingual school in Budapest
By country: Europe's vaccination numbers
Tianhe launch 'can lead to galactic cooperation'
The government has continually pinned the success of its vaccine program and the reopening of the economy on Sinopharm arrivals - something the foreign minister posted about on his social media when the diplomatic call was announced.
In the video Peter Szijjarto said: "In recent months, China and Hungary have established a very effective cooperation - 1.7 million vaccines have already arrived from China, which has contributed to Hungary's ranking among the top countries in Europe, second in terms of vaccination coverage."
Chinese investment in Hungarian projects also formed a major part of the discussion, with Viktor Orban encouraging more Chinese investment and promising good business relationships.
The Chinese government has invested heavily in Hungarian rail projects, in an effort to streamline delivery of freight through Europe into the country and on to other nations.
As well as improving rail freight links, a project to increase storage and create industrial spaces where products from China can be assembled is also waiting for the green light in Hungary's north.
During Thursday's call the construction of the Hungary-Serbia railway was discussed, with Orban committing to promoting the project.
Another project that has been drawing attention is the creation of a Chinese university in Budapest. A strategic cooperation agreement enabling preparations for Fudan University in the capital was signed off on earlier this week.
President Xi noted that China highly appreciated Hungary's friendly policy toward the country and said that it plays an important role in maintaining the overall situation of China-EU relations.
Both sides noted the importance of the Hungarian-Chinese relationship which has grown stronger in recent years. Last month the Chinese defense minister visited his Hungarian counterpart in Budapest to discuss ongoing cooperation between the nations.