Developing relations with China is a priority for Hungary, the Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Balazs said in Beijing on Friday.

The bilateral relations between Hungary and China are good, long-standing, and at a high level, Balazs told Chinese media.

The two countries have established a Sino-Hungarian bilingual school, Balazs said, adding that the volume of bilateral trade and tourism have grown in recent years.

He also mentioned that children from southwest China's Sichuan province, the earthquake-hit area, went on vacation to his country last summer.

Hungary and China will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties this year, Balazs said, adding that Hungary hopes to further develop relations with China under the framework of the EU in the future.

Balazs said that the main task of the new Hungarian government, which took office in April, is to tackle the economic crisis.

In response to a question on reform of the international monetary system raised by Xinhua, he said the current system was outdated and should be renewed.

Balazs is on a four-day working visit to China at the invitation of Yang Jiechi, his Chinese counterpart.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2009)