As European Union (EU) member Hungary’s relations within the bloc deteriorates, it is seen that its ties with non-EU actors are getting stronger. The Budapest administration is trying to maintain close relations with non-EU powers, both within the framework of its multifaceted and multidimensional foreign policy and in terms of balancing its relations with Brussels. Hungary’s positive relations with global actors such as China and Russia are extremely important in the realization of this policy.
One of the most important factors driving Beijing to deepen its relations with Budapest is that Hungary constitutes an important pillar of the Belt and Road Project that China is trying to realize. Because Beijing’s ties with the Balkans and Eastern European countries are decisive in the development of this policy. Therefore, from China’s point of view, Hungary is an extremely important country.
In this context, important developments have recently taken place on the Hungary-China line. On 13 December 2022, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi participated in a video conference and the two countries signed an important agreement. According to the said agreement, the parties agreed on the establishment of an intergovernmental “Belt-Road Cooperation Committee”.[1]
Wang Yi pointed out that Budapest was the first European country to sign the Belt and Road Project documents with Beijing. In addition, the Chinese Foreign Minister emphasized that the agreement will give a new impetus to the development of the Belt and Road Project between the two countries. Another noteworthy aspect of Wang Yi’s speech is that he refers to relations with Europe. The Minister having advocated that China and Europe have always been partners, not competitors also expressed his belief that Hungary will continue to play a constructive role in developing China-Europe relations.[2]
As can be understood from Wang Yi’s statements, China does not consider the agreement it signed with Hungary only in the context of the two countries. In a sense, Beijing considers Budapest as a critical actor in the development of its relations with the EU. In this context, it can be said that Hungary carries out mediation and lobbying activities for the development of China’s ties with Europe.
Otherwise, the Hungary-Serbia Railway Project realized by China is very important in seeing Budapest as an important part of the Belt and Road Project by Beijing. Because the railway in question is described as the bridgehead of the Belt and Road Project in Europe.[3] Beijing’s initiative will also be China’s first major infrastructure project within the EU. The Hungary-Serbia Railway Project is planned to be completed by 2025. In addition, the aim of the project is to contribute to the shipment of Chinese goods to Western Europe through Greece. [4]
On the other hand, it is seen that the education and culture dimension has started to come to the fore in the relations between the two countries. China is planning to build a campus in Hungary’s capital Budapest for Fudan University in Shanghai. Due to the project, China will invest $ 1.5 billion, which will be the first Chinese University in the EU.5 Therefore, it can be said that the relations between the two countries have a multidimensional nature. Moreover, Hungary is considered by China as a country where it can increase its cultural influence in Europe. In other words, China sees Hungary as a point where it can make a breakthrough to Europe both culturally and within the framework of the Belt and Road Project.
In addition, another reason for the acceleration of Hungary’s relations with China is Beijing’s policy of not interfering in the internal affairs of the countries with which it has established diplomatic relations. It is known that there have been problems between Brussels and Budapest recently due to internal problems. In this respect, it can be argued that this is one of the most important points that attract Hungary to improve relations with China. In other words, the tension on the Brussels-Budapest line serves to gain space for China in Hungary.
Moreover, the recent difficulties in the Hungarian economy and the difficulty of receiving the financial aid it wants from the EU increase Beijing’s importance for Budapest. However, the fact that Russia, one of Hungary’s most important partners outside the EU, is also struggling with embargoes puts China at the forefront in economic terms. Given the current conjuncture, Beijing has much more economic offers to offer Budapest than Moscow.
As a result, it can be said that there is a multidimensional cooperation between Hungary and China. Also, Hungary is one of the important components of the Belt and Road Project. Beijing sees Budapest as an important and constructive actor in the development of its relations with Europe. Due to the latest agreement signed in this context, it can be foreseen that the relations between the parties will gain further momentum.
[1] “China, Hungary Inject New Impetus into Belt And Road Cooperation”, China Global Television Network, https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-12-13/China-Hungary-inject-new-impetus-into-Belt-and-Road-cooperation-1fJHA1KfOyQ/index.html, (Date of Accession:14.12.2022).
[2] Aynı Yer.
[3] Andreea Brînză, “China and the Budapest-Belgrade Railway Saga”, The Diplomat, https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/china-and-the-budapest-belgrade-railway-saga/, (Date of Accession 14.12.2022).
[4] Krisztina Than, Anita Komuves, “Hungary, China Sign Loan Deal For Budapest-Belgrade Chinese Rail Project”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/article/hungary-china-railway-loan-idUSL5N2CC6A0, (Date of Accession: 14.12.2022).
5 Balint Szalai-Reid Standish, “New Polls Show Increased Support in Hungary For Ties With China”, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-china-ties-warming-standish/31957393.html, (Date of Accession:14.12.2022).
