BELGRADE, Serbia

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Chinese President Xi Jinping decided Thursday to elevate relations between their countries to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era.

The decision came during Xi's official visit to Budapest as his third stop on a tour of Europe after France and Serbia.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on X that Xi commended Orban’s commitment to a friendly policy toward China and to advancing friendly interactions and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

''The China-Hungary comprehensive strategic partnership has developed at a high level, setting a fine example for building a new type of international relations. At its 75th anniversary, the China-Hungary relationship faces important new opportunities for development,'' said Hua.

She also said that China welcomes Hungarians on board the “express train” of Chinese modernization.

Orban assured Xi that Hungary remains a consistent and reliable partner by ensuring "fair and transparent conditions" for Chinese companies investing in the country.

In his speech at a joint press conference in Budapest, he warmly welcomed Xi to Hungary during the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Xi arrived in Budapest on Wednesday evening after official talks in Serbia.

Orban praised the latest cooperation agreements between Hungary and China, which expand bilateral economic engagement into strategic sectors such as electromobility, rail, IT and nuclear energy.

"There are areas where China is the best in the world today, and in some cases, it's the best by a long shot,'' said Orban.

He added that nuclear energy cooperation will tap into Hungary's 50-year expertise and strong reputation in the field.

"Our plan is that by the beginning of the next decade, nuclear energy will constitute 60%-70% of Hungary's energy mix," he said.

Orban also expressed deep gratitude for China's efforts for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and peace talks in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

"This conflict cannot be resolved on the battlefield; it can only be resolved at the negotiating table," said Orban.

Xi began his official visit with a meeting with Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok at Sandor Palace in Budapest.

During the talks, he expressed his readiness to work with Sulyok to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and steer the China-Hungary relationship to higher levels.

He recalled that Hungary was one of the first countries to recognize the New China and said ''the China-Hungary relationship is now at its best in history.”

Sulyok said that Hungary is the bridge between East and West.

''During our discussion, the Chinese president stressed that the basis of cooperation between our countries is mutual respect and trust. I said that according to our Constitution, we respect the freedom and culture of other peoples and strive for cooperation with all the nations of the world.”

Sulyok also announced that Xi has invited him to Beijing for a visit and he accepted it.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced on Facebook that Chinese automotive company BYD is bringing its first European electric car factory to Hungary.

''Hungary’s economic standing will rise considerably by the fact that after the bus factory, BYD is bringing its first European electric car factory to Hungary.

''In possession of the necessary permits, the construction work has started in Szeged and the construction of the infrastructure is also underway, so next year the first BYD models could roll off the production lines of the factory in Szeged,'' said Szijjarto.

He added that Hungary and BYD have agreed on the further extension of cooperation.

''We do not stop here, because it is important for us that every single segment of the auto industry, from production to research to services, is present in Hungary, so now we have agreed on the further extension of cooperation between BYD and Hungary,'' he said.

BYD Auto Co., Ltd. is a publicly listed Chinese multinational manufacturing company.