China has expressed interest in strengthening their security partnership with Hungary, highlighting the improving relationship between Budapest and Beijing. This comes as Hungarian officials rejected a visit from a delegation from Washington.
On Friday, Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán had a meeting with China’s public security minister Wang Xiaohong.
According to statements from China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, Wang expressed a desire for increased collaboration in various areas such as counter-terrorism, addressing transnational crimes, and improving security and law enforcement capabilities as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to the Chinese minister, the goal is to establish a new focus on cooperation in law enforcement and security as part of the bilateral relationship.
China’s proposal is highly uncommon as Hungary is a part of both the EU and Nato.
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Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has strong ties with Moscow and has been fostering a relationship with Beijing. In 2019, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán was the sole EU leader to attend a conference for the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing. China’s electric vehicle company BYD has announced plans to establish its first European manufacturing plant in Hungary.
According to a statement regarding the meeting with Wang on Friday, a representative for Orbán stated that the prime minister affirmed that “respect is lacking more and more in international diplomacy, but it has always been present between Hungary and China.”
The spokesperson stated that the parties involved emphasized the significance of maintaining security and stability.
The possibility of increased collaboration on security matters between Budapest and Beijing arises amidst strained relations between Hungary and its allies in the EU and NATO.
Although Hungary’s reputation in western countries has been declining over time, their recent breaking of a pledge to not be the last to approve Sweden’s Nato application has worsened the level of trust.
The Munich security conference over the weekend highlighted Budapest’s isolation, as top Hungarian officials did not attend.
But during a speech in Hungary on Saturday, Orbán hinted at a change, stating that “we are moving towards ratifying Sweden’s entry into Nato at the start of the parliament’s spring session.”
The ongoing tension was evident this past weekend when Hungarian authorities declined to meet with visitors from Washington.
For 21 months, the US ambassador to Budapest, David Pressman, posted on social media about allies waiting for Hungary to take action on Sweden’s membership in Nato.
Unfortunately, multiple high-ranking officials from the Hungarian government and Fidesz parliament members refused to meet with the most prominent bipartisan congressional delegation from the US to visit Hungary in recent years,” he stated.
During his weekend address, Orbán, who is currently under pressure and facing protests within his own country due to a scandal that led to the president’s resignation, clearly stated his preferences.
“We are unable to intervene in the electoral processes of other nations, however, we strongly desire for President Donald Trump to resume his position in the White House and promote peace in Eastern Europe.”
Source: theguardian.com
