Xi consolidates China’s economic influence in Hungary amidst protests and geopolitical tensions

During his five-day European tour, Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Budapest, the final destination on his trip. Xi is expected to finalize several agreements with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán that will expand China’s economic influence in the region. Orbán’s government has previously established close economic ties with Beijing despite mainstream European leaders’ efforts to restrict China’s presence. Xi will meet with both Orbán and Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok during his stay in Budapest. Protesters gathered before Xi’s arrival to demand greater autonomy for Tibet, which is controlled by China. Despite accusations of supporting Russia’s military capabilities, China has maintained political neutrality regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Hungary has been critical of the Russian invasion but has also threatened to veto EU sanctions against Moscow and declined to provide military assistance to Ukraine. Before arriving in Budapest, Xi spent two days in Serbia, where he and Serbian officials agreed on expanding their partnership. Both Hungary and Serbia are considered friendly to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some of the agreements to be signed during Xi’s visit to Hungary will involve the expansion of China’s Belt and Road initiative in the country and potential investments in infrastructure and energy. However, representatives of the Tibet Aid Society have raised concerns about the danger of a close relationship with China, given its questionable democratic and human rights record. Xi and Orbán are expected to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine during their meetings in Budapest. While Hungary has supported a Chinese-proposed peace plan and urged China to take a more active role in mediating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Hungary’s neighbour Ukraine has not formally recognized Kosovo’s independence, a move Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Glauk Konjuhovic praised as evidence of Kosovo’s unconditional support for Ukraine.