Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Hungary to celebrate a "new era" in relations with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban [1]. During his visit, Xi Jinping and Orban discussed various topics, including strengthening bilateral ties and infrastructure projects in Ukraine [2]. This meeting was seen as a significant move in the context of China's increasing presence in Eastern Europe and potential implications for EU-China relations [13].
Prior to his visit to Hungary, Xi Jinping also traveled to Serbia, where he emphasized the close ties between China and Serbia, further solidifying their relationship [7]. Xi Jinping's visit to both Serbia and Hungary was part of a broader tour of Europe, where he aimed to bolster economic partnerships and diplomatic relations with Eastern European countries [12].
Xi Jinping's visits to Serbia and Hungary underscored China's efforts to strengthen its ties with key allies and expand its influence in the region [11]. The Chinese president's engagements in these countries were also seen in the context of growing tensions between China and the EU, especially concerning trade and investment practices [20].
In Hungary, Xi Jinping's visit was characterized as a significant moment in China-Hungary diplomacy, with some observers referring to it as a "love letter" of cooperation between the two nations [14]. The Chinese president's interactions and discussions in both Serbia and Hungary aimed to boost economic ties and strategic partnerships between China and these European countries [18].
Overall, Xi Jinping's visits to Serbia and Hungary were part of China's broader diplomatic efforts to strengthen relations with Eastern European countries, potentially impacting the dynamics between China and the EU [19]. These visits also highlighted the strategic importance China places on expanding its presence and influence in the European region [17].