During a visit to Beijing, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with China’s President Xi Jinping, continuing his diplomatic engagements with authoritarian leaders. This meeting followed talks with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin in Moscow the previous week.
China’s official Xinhua news agency announced the visit, mentioning that the two leaders would discuss “issues of mutual interest” during an “in-depth discussion.” The meeting took place at the Diaooyutai State Guesthouse, as reported by Chinese state television.
This meeting provides an opportunity for Mr. Xi and Mr. Orban to advocate for the European Union to distance itself from the United States, especially considering Hungary’s differing stance on matters such as support for Ukraine. Hungary’s assumption of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union this month has also elevated Mr. Orban’s visibility in European affairs.
Reflecting on the shared values between China and Hungary, Mr. Xi highlighted their commitment to independence and self-initiated actions during a previous meeting in May. While Western European leaders have been critical of Mr. Orban, his interactions with Xi Jinping could further raise eyebrows, particularly concerning discussions on the conflict in Ukraine.
Overall, these diplomatic exchanges between Hungary and China, as well as Russia, underline the complex dynamics shaping international relations in the region.
