President Xi Jinping met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday in Beijing and announced the two countries' establishment of a bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi welcomed Orban's visit to China. The Hungarian prime minister is attending the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Since diplomatic relations between the two countries were established 68 years ago, the ties have seen lasting healthy development, Xi noted.

The establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership echoes the reality of bilateral relations' development and it ushers in a broad space for bilateral cooperation, Xi said.

The two sides should take this as an opportunity to push for further development of bilateral ties, and as comprehensive strategic partners, the two sides should uphold paying mutual respect, Xi noted.

Both sides should strengthen the link between the Belt and Road Initiative with Hungary's "Opening to the East" strategy, and strengthen top-level planning for their comprehensive cooperation, Xi said.

The two countries should continue tapping into the potential of their cooperation, continue promoting major projects, including the Hungary-Serbia railway, and expand financial cooperation, Xi said.

They should also strengthen cultural exchanges and expand cooperation in fields such as culture, education, and tourism, and at local levels, Xi added.

Xi said that China firmly supports the development of the European Union.

China is willing to work with Hungary and continue to promote cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries and the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi added.

Orban said the bilateral relationship has a long history, and Hungary is willing to work with China to advance bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Hungary spoke highly of China's achievements in economic and social development, particularly its achievements in poverty alleviation, and it believes that China's market economy status is indisputable, Orban said.

Hungary is committed to deepening cooperation with China in areas that include infrastructure and agriculture, and it supports cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries and the development of China-EU ties, he said.

Following their meeting, the two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.