On November 22, 2024, the “Hungary-Shenzhen Economic and Trade Exchange and City Image Promotion Conference”, sponsored by the Shenzhen Overseas Exchange Association, the Hungarian-Chinese Cultural Exchange Association, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Central and Eastern Europe, the Overseas Friendship Association of Futian District, the Overseas Friendship Association of Nanshan District, and the Overseas Friendship Association of Bao’an District, was held in the Palace of Arts in Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

Based on the innovation, pragmatism and truth-seeking cooperation in the overseas Chinese affairs work of Shenzhen, this exchange and promotion conference aimed to share the investment opportunities in Shenzhen, further strengthen the interconnection between Shenzhen and Hungary, promote investment and trade, deepen cooperation and exchanges, showcase the city image and investment opportunities of Shenzhen, and boost the economic and trade exchanges between the two places, as well as deepen the cooperation between the two sides in fields such as scientific and technological innovation, industrial cooperation and trade investment.

The promotion conference was chaired by Geng Jie, Vice President of the Hungarian-Chinese Cultural Exchange Association. President Chen Zhen delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the organizers.

In his speech, Péter Medgyessy, former Prime Minister of Hungary, said that at present, the economic and trade relations between the two countries have been continuously developing in depth, and the fields of cultural and people-to-people exchanges have been constantly expanding. From the establishment of the Hungarian-Chinese Bilingual School more than 20 years ago, to the issuance of medical practice licenses for traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, to the legislation on traditional Chinese medicine and the successful establishment of the first traditional Chinese medicine pharmaceutical enterprise that meets EU standards by Dr. Chen Zhen, Hungary has become the EU country that has received the most Chinese investment. The foundation of mutual trust and mutual respect between the two countries has been continuously strengthened, and this good relationship will surely bring a win-win situation for the enterprises of both countries.

In his speech, Li Jia, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary. The leaders of the two countries have joined hands to guide bilateral relations into the best period in history. The all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Hungary in the new era will surely further promote the close alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with Hungary’s “Opening to the East” strategy, injecting new and strong impetus into the win-win cooperation between the two countries. Last year, China once again became the largest source of investment for Hungary. In July this year, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made strategic arrangements for further comprehensively deepening reforms and promoting Chinese modernization, which will surely bring new development opportunities to the world. China welcomes its good friend Hungary to become a fellow traveler on the path of Chinese modernization. There are many cities in Hungary that, like Shenzhen, are developing innovatively, being open, confident, enthusiastic and friendly. It is believed that the visit of the Shenzhen delegation to Hungary this time will enable them to seek common development and share opportunities with Hungarian cities such as Budapest, and jointly write a new chapter in local cooperation between the two countries. There are also many overseas Chinese leaders present today. Over the years, they have lived and worked in peace and contentment in Hungary and have made positive contributions to promoting friendly exchanges between the Chinese and Hungarian peoples. It is hoped that overseas Chinese in Hungary will actively participate in the construction of Chinese modernization, play a good role as a bridge and bond, and make new achievements in promoting economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people bonds between China and Hungary.

Liu Xin, President of the Shenzhen Overseas Exchange Association, delivered a keynote speech, comprehensively introducing the development advantages of Shenzhen, promoting the business environments and policies of both places, and sharing the experience of enterprise development.

In April 2007, Shenzhen and Budapest established a relationship of friendly exchange cities. In recent years, Shenzhen has also maintained stable and fruitful exchanges and cooperation with Hungary. The total volume of imports and exports last year alone reached as high as $2.6 billion. Nowadays, a large number of Shenzhen enterprises such as Huawei, ZTE, Sunwoda, KONDA, KEDA, FOMO Glass, and Today International have been operating in Hungary for many years.

In March this year, the regular freight route between Shenzhen and Budapest was opened. In August, the international passenger route between the two cities made its maiden flight. With the opening of the international air passages for both passengers and freight, the all-round cooperation between the two places in emerging fields such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, and mobile communication technologies will be more comprehensive, and the business and cultural exchanges between the residents of the two places will be closer and more vibrant.

Shenzhen is the “Innovation Capital”, the “First City in Industry”, and the “First City in the Private Economy” of China. In 2023, its total GDP reached 3.46 trillion yuan, ranking among the top ten in the world, fourth in Asia, and third in China. In the first three quarters of this year, new achievements have been made in the high-quality development of Shenzhen. The GDP was nearly 2.6 trillion yuan, with a growth rate of 5.4%. Among them, the total volume of imports and exports exceeded 3.37 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 20.9%, and the confidence of domestic and overseas investors in Shenzhen has been continuously enhanced.

Today, we are here to hold an economic and trade exchange meeting, reach a number of investment and trade projects, promote the business environments and policies of both places, share the experience of enterprise development, and promote the rooting and development as well as the expansion of business of Shenzhen enterprises in Hungary.

Ildikó Iróna, the manager of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency, introduced the economic development situation in Hungary and various measures introduced by the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency to improve investment facilitation. She also presented the achievements of various investments made by Shenzhen and other Chinese enterprises in Hungary, expressing the hope to continuously deepen communication and connection with Chinese entrepreneurs and jointly share the big EU market and new development opportunities.

Dr. Chen Zhen, Vice President of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies and President of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Central and Eastern Europe, said in his speech, “Today is Xiaoxue in the lunar calendar, and it snowed for the first time in Budapest. There is an old Chinese saying: A timely snow promises a good harvest! It indicates that today is an auspicious day! The snow has driven away the upper respiratory tract infection virus. May the snow bring health, peace and happiness to everyone! Warmly welcome all Chinese and Hungarian friends to gather here! Thanks to the Chinese Embassy in Hungary for its strong support for this event.”

Shenzhen is a city that has been at the forefront of reform and opening up. It is also the “Capital of Creation” and a manufacturing city. The new “Overseas Chinese Affairs – Trade” model of Shenzhen’s overseas Chinese affairs work is an innovative move in the overseas Chinese affairs work in the new era, which has deeply attracted me to organize this China-Hungary exchange event. Hungary is also an innovative nation, having won 16 Nobel Prizes. How to connect Shenzhen and Hungary and achieve common development through complementary advantages is the original intention of our organizing this conference. Through the new “Overseas Chinese Affairs – Trade” model, Shenzhen has better played the bridging role of overseas Chinese, making the “going global and bringing in” development model more practical and down-to-earth.

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the development plan for the next golden decade of the “Belt and Road Initiative” that not only should we promote landmark large projects at the national level, but also we should focus on developing those “small but beautiful” projects that win the hearts of the people. Over the past 30-plus years, overseas Chinese in Central and Eastern Europe have made important contributions to the development of the two countries. The implementation of many landmark projects is inseparable from our efforts and participation. The successful implementation of some large projects and enterprises in the local area is always accompanied by the 身影 of overseas Chinese. Shenzhen has the largest number and the strongest strength of private enterprises, and many private enterprises in Hungary have also successfully developed in Shenzhen.