On October 9, Péter KISS, the newly appointed Consul General of Hungary in Guangzhou, paid an official visit to Hainan and held talks with Jiang Xiongbiao, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on strengthening exchanges and cooperation in areas such as culture, tourism, education, healthcare, agriculture, and emerging technologies.

During the meeting, Jiang reviewed the development of friendly relations between China and Hungary and briefed the Hungarian side on the latest progress and key policies related to the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), particularly those concerning modern industrial systems and preferential measures in trade, education, and other sectors. He proposed that both sides deepen practical exchanges and cooperation in tourism and culture, connectivity, scientific and technological innovation, emerging industries, healthcare, agriculture, education, and aerospace, to further advance the China–Hungary all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era.

Jiang emphasized that Hainan is ready to share the new development opportunities brought by the upcoming FTP special customs operations, and that the Foreign Affairs Office is willing to work closely with the Consulate General of Hungary in Guangzhou to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Péter noted that Hungary, as an important trade hub linking China with Central and Western Europe, enjoys strong complementarity with Hainan in terms of industrial structure, resource endowment, and development strategy. He expressed his hopes to expand cooperation in tourism, culture, trade, education, and aerospace, enhance cultural and educational exchanges, and accelerate the launch of direct air routes between Hainan and Hungary, with the joint goal of advancing mutually beneficial and win–win cooperation.

Péter took up his post as Consul General of Hungary in Guangzhou in August 2025, and this visit marked his first official trip to Hainan in that capacity. During the visit, the Hungarian delegation also called on the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province and attended the World Free Zones Organization Annual Conference.

Located in the heart of Europe, Hungary is China’s largest investment destination in Central and Eastern Europe and the first European country to sign an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As a key European partner and steadfast supporter of the BRI, Hungary has played a crucial role in advancing China–Central and Eastern Europe cooperation.