Premier Li pledges to enhance cooperation with Hungary

Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday pledged to strengthen cooperation with Hungary while meeting with Hungarian President Janos Ader in Budapest.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) meets with Hungarian President Janos Ader in Budapest, Hungary, Nov. 29, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in October, 1949, China and Hungary have always been committed to mutual respect and treating each other on equal footing, Li said, adding that political mutual trust has continued to strengthen while exchanges and cooperation in various areas have kept deepening.

China is willing to work with Hungary to dock their development strategies, identify converging points of interests to facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation, open up new areas of practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, and jointly push for achieving new outcomes of 16+1 cooperation, he said.

For his part, Ader said Hungary and China have always kept close contact and are deepening their friendly cooperation.

The current visit of the Chinese premier has produced new and important consensus on developing bilateral ties and cooperation, and achieved positive outcomes, he said.

Hungary is willing to work with China to further boost mutually beneficial cooperation, keep close communication and coordination on international affairs, and promote bilateral ties and 16+1 cooperation, said the president.

The two leaders also exchanged views on climate change.

The Chinese government has been actively engaged in promoting and signing the Paris Agreement, Li said, noting that Beijing is the first to formulate and submit its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions document to tackle global warming.

China will continue to carry out its commitment made in the Paris Agreement on the basis of the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities", and stands ready to work with related parties, including Hungary, to expand cooperation in environmental protection and promote international cooperation to jointly tackle challenges brought by climate change, Li said.

Ader spoke highly of China's positive measures to conserve energy, reduce emissions and construct ecological environment, saying Hungary is willing to learn from China's experience and promote cooperation with China in environmental protection.

Hungary is the first leg of Li's week-long visit starting Sunday. He arrived in Moscow on Wednesday afternoon and is expected to attend the 16th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to be held in Sochi, Russia from Thursday to Friday.