by Xinhua writer Cao Jiayue

BEIJING, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Balazs Andras Orban, political director of Hungary's prime minister, said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Beijing that China's rise represents an opportunity for all countries, and Hungary is willing to advance cooperation with China across various fields.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary. Under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, China-Hungary relations have been elevated to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era.

Commenting on the deepening political trust between the two sides, Orban said, "The friendship between the two leaders gives us a strong pillar for the cooperation between the two countries."

"I see many areas and potentials to cooperate with China," Orban said, mentioning the Budapest-Belgrade railway as an example of practical cooperation between the two countries.

As a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, the Budapest-Belgrade railway is expected to be fully operational by 2025. By then, the railway will serve as a critical hub connecting Eastern and Central Europe, significantly enhancing the efficiency of logistics and passenger transportation in Hungary, Serbia and the surrounding regions.

"It opens up Hungary towards Central Asia and also to China," noted Orban.

Discussing the prospects for EU-China cooperation, Orban noted that China is already leading in areas such as electric vehicles, clean energy and telecommunications.

"If European companies want to be competitive, they have to remain open," said Orban, adding that imposing tariffs on China would severely harm the European economy.

Speaking about Hungary's assumption of EU rotating presidency since July, he said Hungary will reject Cold War mentality and ideological biases, and will seize this opportunity to focus on enhancing EU's competitiveness through pragmatic solutions.

He said that the stable relations between Hungary and China, featuring mutual respect and win-win cooperation, can serve as a good example for other European countries in their interactions with China.

The world today is faced with a myriad of challenges, with the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the prolongation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Noting that the world should not head toward war and division, he said that Hungary appreciates China's endeavor to establish a "Friends of Peace" group on the Ukraine crisis.

"China's development is not a threat, but an opportunity for all countries," Orban said. Enditem

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