“During the course of history, Hungarian-Chinese relations have never been as good as they are today”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said on Tuesday in Shanghai at the opening of the Hungarian national pavilion at the Chinese International Import Expo (CIIE).

“The Hungarian Government recognised the importance of global changes in time, and their result: that the tempo of the modern industrial revolution is being dictated at least as much by the East as by the West”, he declared. “It was this recognition that led to the Eastern Opening political strategy”, he said, highlighting the fact that as a result of the policy China has become Hungary’s number one trade partner and second most important export market outside the European Union. “The record for Hungarian exports to China was broken last year, and there is an excellent chance that we will be able to celebrate another export record again at the end of this year”, Mr. Szijjártó said.

Five inter-business agreements were signed at the opening of the Hungarian pavilion, in the presence of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. With relation to these, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade told the press that Köröstej will be the first Hungarian company to make use of the opportunity afforded by the fact that the Chinese Government has awarded Hungary the most food important licences within Central Europe. As a result of the new agreement, Köröstej will begin exporting milk products to China.

“In addition, a contract was concluded on the construction of a Hungarian solar panel park; the solar power plant being established represents a further step in guaranteeing Hungary’s energy security”, he said. “An agreement was also concluded on the fact that Hungarian company Organica will be participating in the development of a sewage treatment plant that is being constructed in China as part of a greenfield investment project; a contract was signed on the promotion of Hungarian wines on the Chinese market, as well as an agreement on the export of Hungarian valves”, Mr. Szijjártó told reporters.

The Hungarian government delegation visiting Shanghai included, amongst others, Minister for Innovation and Technology László Palkovics, who at the opening ceremony told reporters that the pavilion aims to showcase innovations that might be of interest to Chinese partners. These include self-driven vehicles, the vehicle test track in Zalaegerszeg, and the ELI laser research centre in Szeged.

The Minister drew attention to the fact that Hungary is our region’s most popular destination for Chinese investors, and also mentioned that, in addition to the economy, cooperation between universities within the field of higher education could also be reinforced thanks to inter-governmental agreements that are currently in preparation.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)