Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded an “all-weather” strategic partnership agreement with Hungary on Thursday, capping off a three-nation diplomatic tour of Europe aimed at solidifying Beijing’s footprint on the continent and countering growing European “de-risking” efforts and national security-based restrictions.
"We are willing to take this as a new starting point to push bilateral relations and pragmatic cooperation into a golden channel and move toward a higher level," Xi said in Budapest following a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Hungary, which has become an important investment and trading partner for China, was the final stop of the Chinese leader’s first European tour in five years — part of a six-day diplomatic offensive that also saw him visit France and Serbia.