China is ready to continue strengthening vaccine cooperation with Hungary, and firmly honors its promise of making vaccines a global public good, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday.

Xi made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Ever since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, the two countries and their people have been supporting each other, and carrying out sound cooperation in such areas as epidemic prevention and control as well as work and production resumption, which has seen important results.

The two sides have especially worked closely together on vaccines, demonstrating high-level political mutual trust and a more resilient and dynamic bilateral relationship, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China highly appreciates Hungary for its firm adherence to a friendly policy towards China, as well as significant contribution to advancing cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs), and safeguarding the overall China-Europe relations.

China is willing to conduct close strategic communication with Hungary, consolidate political mutual trust, and take the Hungary-Serbia railway and other major projects as a guide to deepen practical cooperation in various fields, Xi said.

He said that China is also ready to join Hungary in tackling all kinds of risks and challenges and pushing for constant development in the China-Hungary comprehensive strategic partnership, so as to better benefit the people of the two countries.

Noting that the China-CEEC Summit held in February saw important planning and guidance for the development of cooperation mechanism, Xi said China is ready to work with Hungary and other parties to forge ahead in an innovative spirit, and push for the continuous advancement of the China-CEEC cooperation.