On August 24, 2020, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó of Hungary jointly met the press after their talks in Beihai, Guangxi Province.

Wang Yi said, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó is the first foreign minister of a member state of the European Union (EU) who visits China as China is containing the COVID-19 on a routine basis. The visit is of momentous significance for the resumption of offline diplomatic activities between China and Hungary and between China and Europe, as well as pushing exchanges and cooperation in all areas back to normal. Moreover, the visit demonstrates the maturity, stability and resilience of China-Hungary comprehensive strategic partnership. During our talks, both sides have reached extensive consensuses on topics of common interest such as strengthening cooperation in fighting the COVID-19 and elevating China-Hungary relations. We both believe that as the COVID-19 spreads across the world, the international situation faces more instabilities and uncertainties, yet sees new development opportunities for bilateral relations. As comprehensive strategic partners, both countries must proceed from the fundamental interests of our two countries and two peoples, firmly grasp the general trend of history, and continue to stand at the forefront of our times.

Wang Yi stressed, we should be good friends of mutual trust. Both sides agreed to strengthen high-level exchanges, continue strategic guidance, and deepen policy coordination, so as to make China-Hungary relations a front-runner in China's relations with countries in the region. No matter what challenges may arise, our two countries will adhere to the fine tradition of mutual respect and equal treatment, and resolutely support each other's efforts in championing national sovereignty, security and development interests.

We should be good partners of mutual benefit and win-win results. Our bilateral cooperation enjoys a solid foundation and robust dynamics. Nothing can stop the two peoples' common pursuit for a better life. We will continue to promote the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries, make great efforts to develop new ways of cooperation, expand cooperation space and strive for more tangible results. We are pleased to see substantial progress in Hungarian section of the Budapest-Belgrade railway, and will together push for an early start of the construction. The Chinese side praises the Hungarian side's objective and fair position on topics including the 5G. Both sides will make concerted efforts to foster an open, fair, just, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for enterprises of both countries to invest in each other.

We should be good "relatives" sharing close people-to-people bonds. The Hungarian people come from the East. Although the two countries are far away from each other, the two peoples are close at heart. We will continue to reinforce epidemic prevention and control measures together, so as to make new efforts to safeguarding the health and well-being of the two peoples. While working on an ongoing basis to contain the COVID-19, we will take more measures to facilitate bilateral personnel exchanges, and propel cooperation in such fields as culture, education, science and technology.

Wang Yi said, the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and human society faces unprecedented challenges. Unilateralism keeps on challenging the existing international order. Protectionism impedes the cycle of world economy. And identity politics undermines solidarity of human society. To some extent, the harms of political virus are stronger than the impact of the COVID-19. As constructive forces in the international community, China and Hungary will not just mind our own business. We will continue to uphold international fairness and justice, jointly champion and practice multilateralism, jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, and jointly advance multi-polarization and democracy in international relations.