Beijing, China - Nov 20, 2020 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Graphic showing photos of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L), Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto (R)

FILE: Beijing, China - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
2. Various of Tian'anmen Square, Chinese national flag
3. Various of Great Hall of People

FILE: Budapest, Hungary - March 12-13, 2020 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Various of tourist site, visitors
5. Residents queuing in line before pharmacy
6. Various of residents in pharmacy
7. Various of information notices on counter to show actions against novel coronavirus
8. Shoppers in store
9. Vehicles, building

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephone conversation on Friday with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto, vowing to promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields in a flexible manner with Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) .

Wang said that China and Hungary have maintained a sound momentum in developing their bilateral relations. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, the two sides have continuously consolidated mutual trust and advanced cooperation in various fields steadily, he said.

Wang said that economic and trade exchanges are growing bucking the trend, showing strong resilience and broader space for cooperation. Cargo flights between Zhengzhou and Budapest have opened an efficient and convenient "air corridor" between the two sides, and proactive progress has been made in such landmark cooperation projects as the Hungary-Serbia Railway, he said.

China supports Chinese companies in investing and doing business in Hungary, supports Chinese companies in carrying out cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines research and development with Hungary in accordance with the law and regulations, and will continue to facilitate Hungary's purchase of anti-epidemic materials in China, he said.

Wang said that amid the pandemic, the China-CEEC (17+1) cooperation mechanism has played a positive role in the joint fight against COVID-19, demonstrating the endogenous driving force of the mechanism and the needs of all relevant countries. Hungary is an important participant in "17+1" cooperation and China is ready to work with CEEC, including Hungary to carry out exchanges and cooperation in various fields in a flexible manner, he said.

Wang said that as the international situation enters a period of "turbulent change", China and Hungary should strengthen strategic communication and coordination, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries and contribute to world peace and stability. It is expected that Hungary will continue to play a positive role in maintaining and promoting China-Europe relations, he said.

Szijjarto highly appreciated the important achievements made through anti-pandemic cooperation between the two countries and hopes that China will continue to support and facilitate Hungary's purchase of anti-epidemic drugs and vaccines in China.

Szijjarto said that it is in Hungary's interest to develop relations with China and promote friendship between Europe and China. Hungary opposes interference by external forces in China's internal affairs and will continue to push forward Hungarian-Chinese relations on the basis of mutual respect and is willing to play a positive role in promoting the healthy development of Europe-China relations, he said.

Hungary welcomes China to expand investment and will never adopt discriminatory policies against Chinese companies, he said, adding that Hungary will always be a strong supporter of the "17+1" cooperation mechanism.