A think tank report on relations between China and Hungary was released at the Fourth High-Level Think Tanks Symposium of China and Central and Eastern European Countries held in Beijing from Dec. 18 to 19.

 “The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Between China and Hungary: History, Status Quo, Prospects and Policy Suggestions” is authored by Chinese and Hungarian scholars led by Liu Zuikui and Agnes Szunomar under the China-CEEC Think Tanks Network.

    The report was written in May 2017, shortly after the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Prior to its release, there had been no thematic expositions on the new arrangement between China and Hungary, making the paper the first of its kind in the academic literature.

    Composed of six chapters, it describes the history and prospects of the political, cultural, economic and trade relations between China and Hungary. The paper also puts forward policy suggestions based on this research.

    In recent years, Budapest has become an important partner of Beijing in implementing China’s "16 + 1 Cooperation" framework in Central and Eastern European countries and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative. The same is true for China as Hungary pursues its "Open to the East” plan.

    The book argues that bilateral relations between China and Hungary are expected to expand based on their strategic partnership. The agreement will help both sides coordinate policymaking, consolidate the basis for political trust and improve relations.

    As China's investment in Hungary increases steadily and economic interdependence between the countries deepens, the paper argues that there is still additional potential for economic partnership and trade between the two nations. Bilateral agreements in specific fields such as finance and infrastructure have been steadily rolled out and will become a new growth point in the future. Cultural exchange are also expected to gradually progress, with many new initiatives in areas such as science and education.

    The book suggests that the two sides need to create more concrete and actionable arrangements over the next few years. Under the framework of the China-EU All-round Strategic Partnership and the "16 + 1 Cooperation" strategy, both parties will still be able to elaborate specific areas of coordination and design a plan of action.

According to co-author Liu Zuokui, the paper reflects scholars' latest views on the partnership between China and Hungary.

    Liu serves as the director of the Division of Central and Eastern European Studies at the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences as well as the director of the 16+1 Think Tanks Network secretariat office.

    “The collaboration between Chinese and Hungarian scholars in writing the book itself is a way to consolidate and enrich the cultural exchange between the two countries,” Liu added.