China's top diplomat Wang Yi (L) is touring Europe and met with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szajjarto (R) in Budapest.Pablo Gutierrez/CGTN
China and Hungary announced that they are ready to work together to seek a peaceful end to the Ukraine conflict.
China's top diplomat Wang Yi and Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto met in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss ways to end the hostilities and the importance of strengthening Sino-Hungarian economic and diplomatic ties.
Both lawmakers said they would like to see Russia and Ukraine return to the negotiating table as soon as possible. On February 24, it will be one year since the start of the Ukraine conflict.
Wang is also set to travel to Moscow this week in what will be his first visit to Russia since the war began.
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"We would like a political solution to provide a peaceful and sustainable framework to Europe," said Wang.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban this weekend warned against increasing western intervention in the conflict, saying that Europe is "indirectly at war with Russia" as some countries in Europe have pledged to send tanks to Ukraine.
Szijjarto highlighted the global disorder that has followed the war and called for peace.
"Let me echo what we have just heard (from you Wang Yi) and jointly declare to the world that China and Hungary gladly work together with other peace-loving countries to bring the current hostilities to a halt as soon as possible," said Szjjarto.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto (right) thanked China for their investment and support./ Bernadett Szabo/Reuters
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of China's Belt & Road Initiative. Szijjarto thanked China for its investment in Hungary. Sino-Hungarian trade has surpassed $10 billion a year and is expected to grow.
"Despite all the difficulties, Hungary was able to keep its gross domestic product (GDP) on a growth path," said Szijjarto.
"This is largely due to the fact that Chinese companies are increasingly investing in Hungary, and we were able to announce the largest ever investment in the Hungarian economy last year, in a black year for the world economy, a Chinese investment, so we are grateful for that."
Szijjarto was referring to the announcement by China's CATL to build a $7.8 billion battery plant in Hungary, the largest of its kind in Europe.
During Wang's visit, Szijjarto also thanked China for its support during the COVID-19 pandemic. China provided Hungary with vaccines and personal protective equipment and said the Hungarian government will continue to pursue a China-friendly policy.
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