Silk Road’ conference in Beijing attended by PM Orbán
May 16th, 2017A pro-government commentator welcomes the government’s pragmatism in Chinese affairs. An independent conservative columnist agrees that China is an important economic partner for Hungary, but fears that Chinese investment may increase corruption.
Last week, in the framework of the One Belt, One Road meeting, PM signed strategic economic cooperation agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that the creation of a unified Eurasian economic zone offers opportunities for the Hungarian economy as the competitiveness of the EU slows down. Mr Szijjártó underscored that Hungary can attract investors not only from the West, but also from the emerging East.
Magyar Nemzet’s Viktor Buzna has no doubts about the importance of cooperation with China for the Hungarian economy. The independent conservative columnist, however, fears that the deals with China may benefit only China and a limited circle of Hungarian entrepreneurs with close ties to the government.
In Magyar Hírlap, Mariann Őry welcomes the government’s pragmatism in its relations with China. The pro-government commentator agrees with The Foreign Minister’s remarks that the ‘New Sik Road’ will provide the Hungarian economy immense opportunities, and will also increase Hungary’s political leverage in the EU. But Hungary has several competitors in its effort to become the main hub of China in the region, and the government needs to work hard to earn the trust of the Chinese leadership. This means that Hungary needs to abstain from interfering in China’s internal affairs, and must cooperate with its government rather than demanding more democracy, Őry writes.