9-5-2024 (BUDAPEST) Amid a whirlwind European tour aimed at fortifying Beijing’s ties with key partners, Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in Budapest on Wednesday (May 8), marking the final leg of his diplomatic endeavor. The three-day visit to Hungary, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, is expected to further solidify the already flourishing bonds between China and its closest ally within the European Union.
Xi’s arrival in the Hungarian capital follows a cordial yet tense visit to France, where discussions highlighted the simmering tensions between Beijing and the EU over the ongoing war in Ukraine and global trade dynamics. His subsequent stop in Serbia, a nation that shares close ties with both Russia and China, underscored the intricate geopolitical landscape that the Chinese leader must navigate.
As Xi wrapped up his Serbian sojourn earlier on Wednesday, he was greeted by President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on a red carpet outside the main government offices in Belgrade. The Chinese leader was welcomed with a ceremonial gun salute before shaking hands with officials, including the prime minister and the National Bank of Serbia governor.
In a display of unity, the two leaders waved to thousands of onlookers from a balcony, with some in the crowd waving Chinese flags as Vucic hailed Xi as a “friend of Serbia.” Vucic’s unwavering support for Beijing’s territorial claims over Taiwan was also on full display, as he declared to the assembled crowd, “We have a clear and simple position regarding Chinese territorial integrity. Yes, Taiwan is China.”
Xi, in turn, expressed the “strong feeling of friendship” between the two countries, underscoring the depth of the Sino-Serbian partnership. The visit also yielded tangible commercial commitments, including the purchase of new Chinese trains, the establishment of new air links, and increased Serbian imports from China.
As Xi’s delegation touched down in Budapest, the Hungarian capital was adorned with Chinese flags and posters proclaiming a “warm welcome” to “Chinese friends.” The visit holds particular significance as it marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, with the Chinese leader expected to attend a state dinner hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban later on Wednesday.
The timing of Xi’s visit to Serbia also coincided with the 25th anniversary of the 1999 US bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, a tragic incident that claimed three lives. Vucic acknowledged the historical significance, reminding the crowd, “Do not forget that our Chinese friends were with us 25 years ago when this country was being demolished and bombed.”
In an op-ed published in the Serbian daily Politika, Xi condemned the “flagrant bombing of the Chinese embassy” by NATO, warning that China would “never allow such tragic history to repeat itself.” The incident, which the United States later attributed to outdated maps leading the pilot to strike the wrong target, has left an indelible mark on the collective memory of both nations.
Serbia’s unwavering support for China’s territorial claims over Taiwan and Beijing’s reciprocal backing of Serbia’s position on Kosovo have further cemented the bilateral alliance. Xi called for the two countries to “firmly support each other’s core interests,” reaffirming China’s backing of Serbia’s efforts to “safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity on the Kosovo issue.”
As Xi’s European tour reaches its culmination in Hungary, the visit is seen as a pivotal moment in Sino-Hungarian relations. “For Serbia, this is without a doubt one of the most significant visits,” remarked Marko Tmusic, a political sciences professor at the University of Belgrade, underscoring the importance of the Chinese leader’s presence.
In Budapest, many have welcomed Xi’s arrival with open arms. “I think it’s an excellent thing, this visit from the president of one of the most powerful countries in the world,” said 67-year-old retiree Stojan Vidovic, reflecting the sentiment of many Hungarians.
While Xi’s visit to France highlighted tensions between Beijing and the EU over the Ukraine conflict and global trade imbalances, his stops in Serbia and Hungary underscore China’s deepening embrace of its closest European allies. As the Chinese leader holds talks with Orban, who has bucked the EU’s official position to “de-risk” relations with China, the visit is set to cement Hungary’s status as a crucial gateway for Chinese influence within the bloc.
With China pouring billions into Serbia, neighboring Balkan countries, and Hungary’s burgeoning battery and electric vehicle manufacturing sectors, Xi’s European tour represents a strategic move to fortify Beijing’s economic and political foothold on the continent. As the world watches, the Chinese leader’s final stop in Budapest promises to be a pivotal moment in the evolving dynamics between China and its European partners.
