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House Speaker: Hungary and China have similar views of 'present and future of the world'

Hungary is striving to build a pragmatic relationship with the People's Republic of China, and does not wish to mix ideology with economic cooperation.

House Speaker László Kövér met Wang Huning, the chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing on Wednesday. Kövér and Wang discussed bilateral ties as well as international affairs.

Kövér said the two countries had similar views of the "present and future of the world, and our relations are characterised by mutual respect and by not interfering with each other's affairs."

Hungary is striving to build a pragmatic relationship with the People's Republic of China, and "does not wish to mix ideology with economic cooperation." It is working to strengthen connectivity in the world, and "we picture our country as a meeting point of eastern and western capital in the future", he said. "We do not support policies raising the spectre of an economic war and restricting cooperation between the EU and China."

"We aim to continue to offer a home for Chinese investments in Hungary, to further strengthen trade, and to increase Hungarian exports into China," Kövér said.

Challenges such as climate change, the effect of pollution and mass illegal migration, which are hitting both countries "in a volatile and dangerous international situation", can only be solved through joint effort, he said.

Wang said ties between the two countries had never been stronger, "and China greatly appreciates Hungary's efforts to solve international conflicts too." He praised the "multilayered cultural ties" between Hungary and China, adding that Hungary was home to 5 Confucius Institutes and a bilingual Hungarian-Chinese elementary and secondary school.

Hungary's parliamentary delegation attended a gala marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries at the Chinese National Opera House, organised by Hungary's embassy in Beijing.