Xi leaves Europe saying Hungary and China will enjoy 'golden voyage' in relations - DW News

[TexasTowelie]

Chinese president Xi Jinping heads home today after a whirlwind tour to Europe, his first in five years.

President Xi has been in Hungary for the final stop of his five-day trip. He met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest and said the two nations would begin a 'golden voyage' in bilateral relations. Xi and his wife also visited Serbia and France. In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen pressed Xi to use his influence on Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

[wolfie001]

1. Isn't Hungary the most repressive, pro-Putin EU country?

HK on the Danube?

[TexasTowelie]

2. Yes.

I thought about Serbia for a minute but recalled that aren't in the EU.

[Martin68]

3. That is a really weird way to try to improve relations or extend China's influence in Europe.

Frankly, it seems like a really stupid move for one autocrat to praise another autocrat when trying to influence a bunch of liberal democracies.

[Irish_Dem]

4. China is warning Europe and trying to divide Europe.

China is saying we can buy friends here in Europe and divide any European alliance.

[Martin68]

5. I doubt praising Hungary is an effective way to win friends and influence nations.

Hungary is a bit player.

[Irish_Dem]

6. Yes but Xi is saying that he can buy a European country.

Give them many favors.

And Hungary can stir up trouble in Europe.

[Martin68]

7. What kind of trouble can Hungary make for Europe? It's a small nation with very little clout.

[Irish_Dem]

8. Hungary is causing trouble with NATO.

Been blocking various NATO meetings and tried to keep Sweden out of NATO.
They essentially were given some nice bribes to let Sweden in.

Hungary is a threat to transatlantic security.
Doing Putin and Xi's bidding.

[Martin68]

9. So if China forms a bond with Hungary, it reduces China's influence over other European nations. Sounds

rather disadvantageous to me.