In unusual move, China offers to back Hungary in security matters

In a rare meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, China promised to help Hungary, a longstanding strategic ally, on matters of public security, beyond commercial and investment connections, at a time when NATO is finding it difficult to spread its network throughout Europe.

Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong informed Orban last week that China expects to strengthen law enforcement and security relationships with Hungary as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Wang expressed his hope that these initiatives in areas like fighting terrorism and transnational crimes will serve as “a new highlight of bilateral relations” while on a visit to Budapest.

They would also include security and law enforcement capacity building as part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to connect China to the rest of the globe through commerce and infrastructural linkages.

Wang also visited with Interior Minister Sandor Pinter and signed contracts on law enforcement and security cooperation, Xinhua said on Sunday, but did not elaborate.

China’s security promise comes as Hungary, a Russian ally, has tried to reduce its reliance on Western nations over the last decade under Orban, lately resisting efforts to allow NATO’s expansion in Europe.

Hungary is the only NATO member state that has not approved Sweden’s bid to join the security organisation.

China has been critical of NATO, especially after the bloc said last year that Beijing had challenged its interests, security and values with its “ambitions and coercive policies”.

Chinese state media have called NATO a “grave” challenge to global peace and stability.

The security pact with Hungary represents a diplomatic win for China in the European Union, as the bloc weighs its ties with the world’s second-largest economy over differences on human rights, trade imbalances and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The central European country’s growing affinity to Beijing has already put a wedge in the EU’s collective front.

On several occasions, Hungary has stood aside or opposed EU positions critical of China on issues such as human rights, and welcomed Chinese investments despite the EU’s call for members to align relations with China in line with those of the bloc.

Hungary is home to Huawei Technologies’ largest logistics and manufacturing base outside China, despite European Commission warnings that the telecom giant poses a risk to EU security.

Since 2016, Huawei has partnered with Shanghai-based artificial intelligence firm Yitu Technology to work on solutions for smart cities to enhance public safety and policing with the use of AI and surveillance.

Hungary will soon host Chinese carmaker BYD’s first European factory.