Li Zhanshu (L), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Hungarian President Janos Ader in Budapest, Hungary, May 22, 2019. Li paid an official friendly visit to Hungary from May 21 to 23. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

BUDAPEST -- As this year marks the 70th anniversary of Sino-Hungarian diplomatic ties, the latest visit to Hungary by the top legislator Li Zhanshu injected an impetus into the traditional friendship between two countries.

OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TIES

When meeting with Hungarian President Janos Ader on May 22, Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), firstly conveyed President Xi Jinping's greetings.

Li said after China and Hungary lifted bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2017, the relationship entered a new stage featuring a "speeding-up" development. It is hoped that the two sides will take the opportunity of 70th anniversary of ties to implement the important consensus reached by the two leaders, deepen political mutual trust and expand pragmatic cooperation in various fields.

During the meeting, the two sides also exchanged in-depth views on environmental and resource protection. Li said that protecting the ecological environment and coping with climate change requires countries to work together, as no country can stand aloof.

China and Hungary should closely communicate and coordinate, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of eco-environmental protection and green development, in efforts to contribute to the building of a clean and beautiful world, said Li.

Ader said that Hungary regards China as an important strategic partner and the relationship is developing with good momentum and broad prospects.

Both Hungary and China attach great importance to environmental and resource protection, and they can deepen cooperation in such areas as water pollution prevention and management, water resources development and utilization, said Ader.

When meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on May 23, Li said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 70 years ago, relations between the two countries have maintained a smooth and healthy development.

Hungary is the first European country to sign an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with China over the Belt and Road Initiative.

Noting that the Hungarian government's "Opening to the East" policy accords with the Belt and Road Initiative, Li called on the two sides to strengthen synergy of development strategies, deepen the cooperation potential in such fields as economy, trade, investment, science and technology, agriculture and interconnection.

Li also expected the two countries to actively promote major projects cooperation, such as Hungary-Serbia railway, to create more high-quality cooperation results.

"China is willing to work with the Hungarian side to continuously promote the cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern Europe, and the development of China-Europe relations," Li said.

Also on May 23, Li attended the opening ceremony of a seminar to celebrate the 70th anniversary of bilateral ties, stressing that the two countries should adhere to sincere treatment with each other, mutual respect, mutual benefit and people-to-people friendship, and jointly write a new chapter of China-Hungary friendship in the new era.

JOINT WILL TO SAFEGUARD FREE TRADE SYSTEM

In the meeting with Orban, Li pointed out that maintaining multilateralism and free trade is the consensus of most countries in the world.

"China does not deliberately pursue a trade surplus, and is willing to resolve trade differences between countries through negotiation on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit," Li said, stressing that China upholds to protect each other's interests and in the meantime to demonstrate the principle of non-discrimination under the premise of international trade rules, and advocates to conduct overall considerations and balance all parties' concerns.

"Despite the impact of some external factors, the Chinese economy has still maintained a healthy and stable development, and we are full of confidence in the Chinese economy," said Li.

Orban said that the Hungarian side firmly supports and actively participates in the Belt and Road Initiative and is willing to work with China to jointly safeguard the free trade system and promote the economic development in the Eurasian area.

The cooperation between the two sides in various fields has been very successful, and it is necessary to further expand and enhance bilateral cooperation, Orban said.

PROMOTING EXCHANGES BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE BODIES

During the talks with Hungarian Parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover on May 22, Li said that the National People's Congress of China will maintain friendly relations with the Hungarian parliament and draw on experience on legislation and supervision, to forge ahead mutual understanding and trust, and optimize the rule of law environment for bilateral cooperation.

Li also called on the two legislative bodies to actively promote culture, education, tourism and sports exchanges and cooperation.

"To estimate whether the path and the system chosen by a country is good or not, people should consider if it can achieve sustainable and stable development, improve people's livelihood, be supported by the people, and promote human civilization and social progress," said Li.

"We firmly adhere to the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics, while respecting and supporting all countries' development paths chosen independently by themselves that suit their national conditions," said Li.

Kover said that Hungary-China relations are in the best period of history and still have great potential for development. He expected the two legislative bodies to conduct close exchanges at all levels, continuously enrich the contents of cooperation, and better facilitate the countries' development.

During Li's three-day visit to Hungary, he also visited a Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school, the European logistics center of information and communications technology giant Huawei, and a China-Europe logistics cooperation park for trade and business.

Hungary is the last stop of Li's ten-day Europe tour, which has already taken him to Norway and Austria. Li returned Beijing on Friday noon.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, Hungary, May 23, 2019. Li paid an official friendly visit to Hungary from May 21 to 23. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), addresses the opening ceremony of a seminar to celebrate the 70th anniversary of bilateral ties in Budapest, Hungary, May 23, 2019. Li paid an official friendly visit to Hungary from May 21 to 23. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), visits a Hungarian-Chinese bilingual school in Budapest, Hungary, May 22, 2019. Li paid an official friendly visit to Hungary from May 21 to 23. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), visits the European logistics center of information and communications technology giant Huawei in Budapest, Hungary, May 22, 2019. Li paid an official friendly visit to Hungary from May 21 to 23. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), visits a China-Europe logistics cooperation park for trade and business in Budapest, Hungary, May 23, 2019. Li paid an official friendly visit to Hungary from May 21 to 23. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), lays a wreath at the Millennium Monument in Budapest, Hungary, May 22, 2019. Li paid an official friendly visit to Hungary from May 21 to 23. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), holds talks with Hungarian Parliament Speaker Laszlo Kover in Budapest, Hungary, May 22, 2019. Li paid an official friendly visit to Hungary from May 21 to 23. [Xinhua/Shen Hong]