Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in Budapest to discuss deepening economic and cultural ties between the two nations.

The visit, which concluded Xi’s five-day European tour, resulted in the signing of 18 agreements focused on joint infrastructure projects and cooperation in various sectors.

One notable aspect of the strengthened Hungary-China relationship is the proposed deployment of Chinese police officers in Hungary. This move, announced by the Hungarian Ministry of Interior in early March, aims to aid the growing number of Chinese tourists expected to visit the country following new flight routes between Budapest and seven Chinese cities.

“Many tourists bring not only profits but numerous challenges,” Orbán said before Xi’s visit.

While the official stance maintains that the Chinese police presence is intended to patrol areas frequented by Chinese tourists, some journalists and politicians have raised concerns that it could enable the Chinese government to monitor its citizens in Europe. 

Hungary’s reliance on Chinese firms for security tools and its close relationship with Beijing have also drawn scrutiny from Western allies, with US Ambassador David Pressman voicing apprehensions about the implications for Hungary’s and its allies’ security.

Despite these concerns, Orbán appears to welcome the cooperation with China with arms wide open, pointing out his country’s role as a hub for Chinese investments and its strategic location as an entry point for Chinese goods into Central and Eastern Europe. 

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