China Congratulates Peter Magyar on Hungarian Parliamentary Election Victory, Emphasizing Stable Bilateral Ties
Chinese Premier Li Qiang congratulated Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, on his victory in the Hungarian parliamentary election, stressing the importance of the "all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership" between China and Hungary. However, Magyar has previously stated that "betting on China is a mistake," suggesting potential shifts in bilateral relations and Hungary's stance within the EU, particularly concerning human rights and democratic values.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 16:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 17, 2026 at 16:31 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 17:57 (1h 25m after Collected)
Taipei, April 17 (CNA) The Hungarian parliamentary election recently concluded, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Peter Magyar, congratulating him on the victory of the Tisza Party he leads. Li emphasized the traditional friendship between China and Hungary, expressing willingness to enhance political mutual trust and promote the steady and long-term development of the China-Hungary all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
According to a report by the official Xinhua News Agency today, Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Peter Magyar on April 15, congratulating him on the victory of the Tisza Party in the Hungarian parliamentary election.
Li Qiang stated that China and Hungary have a traditional friendship. China highly values the development of China-Hungary relations and has always regarded Hungary as an important cooperative partner in the European region. China is willing to work with Hungary to enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, broaden cultural exchanges, and promote the steady and long-term development of the China-Hungary all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has governed for 16 years and is considered a standard-bearer of "illiberal democracy" in Europe, was defeated by the conservative Magyar in the parliamentary election on April 12 local time. The Tisza Party, led by Magyar, won 138 out of 199 seats with over 53% of the votes.
Hong Kong's Sing Tao Daily recently published a special article analyzing that the complete end of the Orban era is not just a matter for Hungary alone, but also involves various relationships with the European Union, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Europe and the United States, Russia, and China. "On the surface, it has a huge impact on Russia, but in reality, China faces significant challenges."
In 2024, China-Hungary relations were elevated to an "all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era." Hungary became China's staunchest ally within the EU, not only speaking out for China on human rights and diplomatic issues multiple times but also becoming a bridgehead for the "Belt and Road" initiative in Europe.
Chinese public opinion and academia are currently taking a wait-and-see approach to the political change in Hungary, believing that Magyar will still need to maintain economic and trade cooperation with China to promote national economic development. In particular, Magyar mentioned his intention to visit China in his victory speech and referred to China as a "highly influential major power," which has given some observers a certain optimistic illusion of limited long-term impact.
However, the Sing Tao Daily's special article points out that this idea is likely just wishful thinking. Magyar's rise to power has a strong political orientation, and his political mission is to make the EU more "united." Magyar has even explicitly stated that "betting on China is a mistake" and advocated for re-examining, or even renegotiating, past Chinese-funded large projects with insufficient transparency. Behind this tough shift is a displacement from geopolitical interests to ideological alignment.
Analysis suggests that Magyar's liberal-democratic tendencies mean he is highly likely to confront China on ideological issues such as human rights and democratic systems. Even if Hungary maintains some economic and trade ties with China in the future, it will inevitably make structural adjustments to existing Chinese-funded infrastructure and new energy layouts under the pretext of "reducing dependence" and "returning to EU standards." (Edited by Chou Hui-ying/Chen Kai-yu) 1150417
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According to a report by the official Xinhua News Agency today, Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Peter Magyar on April 15, congratulating him on the victory of the Tisza Party in the Hungarian parliamentary election.
Li Qiang stated that China and Hungary have a traditional friendship. China highly values the development of China-Hungary relations and has always regarded Hungary as an important cooperative partner in the European region. China is willing to work with Hungary to enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, broaden cultural exchanges, and promote the steady and long-term development of the China-Hungary all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has governed for 16 years and is considered a standard-bearer of "illiberal democracy" in Europe, was defeated by the conservative Magyar in the parliamentary election on April 12 local time. The Tisza Party, led by Magyar, won 138 out of 199 seats with over 53% of the votes.
Hong Kong's Sing Tao Daily recently published a special article analyzing that the complete end of the Orban era is not just a matter for Hungary alone, but also involves various relationships with the European Union, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Europe and the United States, Russia, and China. "On the surface, it has a huge impact on Russia, but in reality, China faces significant challenges."
In 2024, China-Hungary relations were elevated to an "all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era." Hungary became China's staunchest ally within the EU, not only speaking out for China on human rights and diplomatic issues multiple times but also becoming a bridgehead for the "Belt and Road" initiative in Europe.
Chinese public opinion and academia are currently taking a wait-and-see approach to the political change in Hungary, believing that Magyar will still need to maintain economic and trade cooperation with China to promote national economic development. In particular, Magyar mentioned his intention to visit China in his victory speech and referred to China as a "highly influential major power," which has given some observers a certain optimistic illusion of limited long-term impact.
However, the Sing Tao Daily's special article points out that this idea is likely just wishful thinking. Magyar's rise to power has a strong political orientation, and his political mission is to make the EU more "united." Magyar has even explicitly stated that "betting on China is a mistake" and advocated for re-examining, or even renegotiating, past Chinese-funded large projects with insufficient transparency. Behind this tough shift is a displacement from geopolitical interests to ideological alignment.
Analysis suggests that Magyar's liberal-democratic tendencies mean he is highly likely to confront China on ideological issues such as human rights and democratic systems. Even if Hungary maintains some economic and trade ties with China in the future, it will inevitably make structural adjustments to existing Chinese-funded infrastructure and new energy layouts under the pretext of "reducing dependence" and "returning to EU standards." (Edited by Chou Hui-ying/Chen Kai-yu) 1150417
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.