Hungarian defense forces are willing to open their biological laboratory for their Chinese colleagues during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in case there's a biological weapon attack, said Hungarian Defense Minister Imre Szekeres recently.

 

"We can help identify dangerous biological weapons and find ways to protect people. It (the lab) served the Athens Olympics" too, said Szekeres, during his official visit to China in August, just days before Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany's visit to the country from September 2 to 5.

 

"We have put forward the proposal to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG)," the minister said.

 

Szekeres and his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan signed an agreement on defense cooperation, specifying the fields and forms of bilateral military exchanges, on August 22.

 

"The agreement is of great importance to Hungary because we believe military exchanges will lay a good foundation for our cultural and economic communication," Szekeres said.

 

The two countries have agreed to exchange military officers for training and technology cooperation, Szekeres said. China and Hungary both have contributed personnel to UN peacekeeping missions.

 

"If some Hungarian officers become familiar with Chinese troops and military theory, and vice versa, we will be able to conduct further cooperation."

 

A batch of Chinese officers will reach Hungary for training this autumn, he said. And a Hungarian army art troupe is expected to visit Beijing soon.

 

Apart from Beijing, Szekeres also visited Chengdu and Kunming in Southwest China to learn about military work in those areas.

 

"Chinese soldiers are excellent. During an anti-terror shooting practise, I noticed they were quite strong. They cooperated smoothly and shot accurately."

 

On European Union's ban on arms sales to China, Szekeres said Hungary has opposed the stance since 2004. But "it will eventually be decided by all the member countries of the EU".

 

The minister first visited China in 1995. "I know what China was like 12 years ago, and I want to congratulate China on its rapid development."

 

"The largest Chinese community in Central and Eastern Europe is in Hungary. We can offer a bridge connecting China with the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)."

 

"We are looking forward to expanding our traditional friendship," the minister said.

 

(China Daily September 4, 2007)