Minister of National Development and Government Commissioner for Hungarian-Chinese Economic Relations Tamás Fellegi opened the visa office of the Hungarian Consulate General in Chongqing, the largest city in the central region of Chinese economic development, on 20 April, 2011. The event was attended by Consul General Tamás Hajba and Vice-President of Parliament István Újhelyi.

It is expected that launching into full-scale activity and easier visa issues will rapidly increase the number of tourists, businessmen and investors arriving at Hungary, and through Hungary at Europe, Tamás Fellegi explained. He also pointed out that considering this nearly 1.4 billion strong market, the improvement and expansion of relations with Inner-China is of overriding significance for Hungary’s export.

At the various stops of his trip, Tamás Fellegi met numerous high-ranking Chinese government officials and businessmen. With Mr Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor of the Bank of China, he surveyed the opportunities of financial co-operation. He carried on discussions with the top executives of the Wanhua Industrial Group, a large investor in Hungary in relation to the Borsodchem acquisition.

Discussions were conducted with State Councillor Mr Dai Bingguo at the seat of the Chinese State Council, in Zhongnanhai, Beijing. During the meeting Tamás Fellegi emphasised that the Hungarian Government endeavoured to perform a strategic development of relations with China, and was open to closer partnership in monetary, infrastructural, telecommunication and cultural areas as well as civil aviation. Mr. Dai Bingguo confirmed that China was similarly ready to further advance mutually beneficial bilateral co-operation in various areas.

During the official visit of the Hungarian delegation, President and CEO of the Hungarian Railways (MÁV Zrt.), Ferenc Szarvas signed a strategic co-operation agreement with the leader of China Railway Construction Corporation in Beijing, on 19 April 2011.

(Ministry of National Development , Department of Communication)