Premier Li Keqiang met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is in Beijing for a state visit and the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, on May 13.

China and Hungary enjoy profound friendship, solid political mutual trust, and rapid growing bilateral relations. China is willing to make joint efforts with Hungary to further consolidate mutual trust, cooperation, and communication, creating a brighter future for China-Hungary relations, said the Premier.

Considering the sluggish global economy, the double-digit trade growth between China and Hungary last year indicates huge potential of cooperation, he said.

The Premier also said that he hopes both sides could implement major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and “16+1” cooperation mechanism to promote development of Hungary-Serbia railway, balanced bilateral trade, third-party cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

He stressed that Hungary is an important member of the European Union and always supports and participates in the “16+1” cooperation mechanism, which promotes China-EU relations. China backs Hungary as the host of the Sixth Summit of China and Central and Eastern Europe Countries and will make joints efforts with all related sides to promote development of China-Europe relations.

Orban said that China and Hungary enjoy traditional friendship and have frequent high-level exchanges. Hungary is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in sectors of infrastructure, finance, agricultural food, and shipping.

In addition, the nation will accelerate Hungary-Serbia railway construction, carry out cooperation in third-party market, and expand educational communication. Hungary will be a good host of the Summit of China and Central and Eastern Europe Countries and promote “16+1” cooperation, Orban said.