Unexpected Xi-Orban Meeting in Beijing Focuses on Ukraine Crisis

Beijing is the Third Stop in Orban's Shuttle Diplomacy, Following Visits to Kyiv and Moscow. Chinese "Three-Principles" on the Crisis.

Hungarian PM Orban visited Beijing today and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This sudden visit to Beijing is a surprise to everyone. Without advance notice, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the info early in the morning. The statement itself does not include the conventional diplomatic expression like "at the invitation of ………"

About China-EU Relations

During the meeting, Xi emphasized that there are no geopolitical contradictions or fundamental conflicts of interest between China and Europe. China-EU relations have strategic significance and global influence and should maintain stable and healthy development to address global challenges jointly.

About Ukraine:

The Ukraine Crisis is at the top of the meeting schedule. According to the official release, they exchange in-depth views on the crisis. Xi emphasized that an early ceasefire and a political solution to end the war are in the interests of all parties. The current focus is to adhere to the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no fanning by any party over the flames, and to promote the cooling of the situation as soon as possible. The international community should create conditions and provide assistance for the two sides to resume direct dialogue and negotiations. Only when all major countries play a positive rather than negative role can the dawn of a ceasefire in this conflict emerge as soon as possible. China has been actively promoting peace and talks in its own way and encouraging and supporting all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis. The basic propositions and efforts of China and Hungary are consistent. China is willing to continue to maintain communication with Hungary and other relevant parties.

Source: https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/liebiao/202407/content_6961959.htm

Full-text translation:

Xi Jinping pointed out that two months ago, he made a successful state visit to Hungary, during which they announced the elevation of China-Hungary relations to a new era of all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership. This visit gave new historical significance to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year and injected strong impetus into the high-level development of China-Hungary relations. Next week, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will be held in Beijing. China will further comprehensively deepen reforms, promote high-quality development and high-level opening up to the outside world. This will provide new opportunities and inject new momentum into China-Hungary cooperation. Both sides should maintain high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen strategic communication and cooperation, continue to firmly support each other, strengthen practical cooperation in various fields, jointly build the "Belt and Road" with high quality, and continuously enrich the connotation of the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Hungary in the new era, so as to better benefit the people.

Xi Jinping congratulated Hungary on assuming the rotating presidency of the European Union. Xi emphasized that there are no geopolitical contradictions or fundamental conflicts of interest between China and Europe. China-EU relations have strategic significance and global influence, and should maintain stable and healthy development to jointly address global challenges. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. Both sides should adhere to the correct positioning of partners and the mainstream tone of cooperation, continue to promote two-way openness, strengthen international collaboration, and contribute to promoting world peace, stability, development, and prosperity. He hopes that Hungary, as the rotating presidency of the EU, will play an active role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations and achieving positive interactions.

Orban said that two months ago, President Xi Jinping made a historic and successful visit to Hungary. In the past two months, both sides have earnestly implemented the important outcomes of this visit, making the friendship and mutual trust more solid and laying a solid foundation for the future development of Hungary-China relations. Faced with the current turbulent international situation, China not only loves peace but also puts forward a series of constructive and important initiatives, proving with its own practical actions that China is an important stabilizing force for promoting world peace. The Hungarian side highly appreciates and values the role and influence of the Chinese side and is willing to work closely with the Chinese side in strategic communication and cooperation. The Hungarian side advocates strengthening cooperation with China, opposes forming "small circles" and camp confrontation, and is willing to take the opportunity of assuming the rotating presidency of the EU to actively promote the healthy development of EU-China relations.

Both sides focused on in-depth communication on the Ukraine crisis. Orban briefed on the relevant situation of his recent visits to Ukraine and Russia. Xi Jinping appreciated Orban's efforts to promote a political solution to the Ukraine crisis and elaborated on the Chinese side's relevant views and propositions.

Xi emphasized that an early ceasefire and a political solution to end the war are in the interests of all parties. The current focus is to adhere to the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no fanning by any party over the flames, and to promote the cooling of the situation as soon as possible. The international community should create conditions and provide assistance for the two sides to resume direct dialogue and negotiations. Only when all major countries play a positive rather than negative role can the dawn of a ceasefire in this conflict emerge as soon as possible. China has been actively promoting peace and talks in its own way and encouraging and supporting all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis. The basic propositions and efforts of China and Hungary are consistent. China is willing to continue to maintain communication with Hungary and other relevant parties.