Visiting Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan Wednesday said that China is willing to make concerted efforts to boost the development of ties between China and Hungary and take it to a new high.

 

At a meeting with Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom, Zeng spoke highly of the relations between the two countries, and also said that Hungary is an important partner for cooperation and a trustworthy friend of China in Europe.

 

He added that Hungary was also among the first group of central-eastern European nations that signed a joint declaration of partnership with China in 2004.

 

The two sides have continuously exchanged high-level visits in recent years, further consolidating and developing their long-standing friendship, Zeng said.

 

The vice premier said China and Hungary have scored fruitful results in their cooperation in various fields, noting that the total volume of two-way trade has been increasing every year.

 

Zeng also expressed his appreciation to Solyom for the Hungarian government's unswerving adherence to the one-China policy, on the Taiwan question.

 

For his part, Solyom said that the friendship between Hungary and China has made headway with steady steps, after the establishment of diplomatic ties.

 

The relations between Hungary and China are based on a solid political foundation, he said.

 

With the Hungarian economy's continuous growth, his government is willing to work with China to further consolidate their friendly relations and strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2006)