Chongqing - In recent years, Chongqing has seized the opportunity to accelerate building the city into a Hub for International Exchanges in Central and Western China, continuously integrating and expanding foreign affairs resources.

The city has increased efforts to invite foreign entities and expand its presence globally. As a result, Chongqing's international network has grown, fostering broader exchanges with sister cities, solidifying partnerships, and paving the way for a wider path of friendship.

On October 22, 2010, Chongqing Municipality and Pest County in Hungary forged an international friendship city-state relationship. Pest County became Chongqing's first friendly city in Central and Eastern Europe. The Friendship Ship set sail on the Yangtze and Danube rivers.

Pest County is located in central Hungary, surrounding the capital Budapest, and is the third-largest county in Hungary.

Pest County boasts an advantageous geographical location, with three major European transit routes passing through it. Its transportation network, mainly consisting of roads and railways, radiates out to connect Hungary and various parts of Europe.

In 2011, shortly after establishing friendly ties with Chongqing Municipality, Pest County participated in the 8th China (Chongqing) International Garden Expo and designed and built the Pest Garden. The garden showcased the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, conveying the rustic charm of the hardworking Hungarian people, which was well-received by the people of Chongqing.

Recently, in an interview with CGTN, Szabo Istvan, President of the General Assembly of Hungary's Pest County, reflected on his multiple visits to China, particularly mentioning his exchange with Chinese experts during the design of Pest Garden in Chongqing Garden Expo Park. He said, "Hungary is widely recognized for its European allure with an Eastern touch, and despite the vast distance of 10,000 kilometers, it shares some cultural similarities with China."

Over the past decade, government officials and delegations from various industries from both places have visited each other many times. They have solidly promoted cooperation in the construction of passages and economic and trade cooperation around the China-Europe Railway Express while enhancing cultural exchanges. Cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, agriculture, culture, tourism, and education has deepened.

In October 2023, Chongqing municipal leaders led a delegation to visit Hungary, where they had a friendly meeting with Szabo Istvan, President of the General Assembly of Hungary's Pest County. They agreed to promote cultural interaction and industrial complementarity through friendly city relationships. They also invited a delegation from Pest County to visit Chongqing.

In February 2024, Szabo Istvan led a delegation to revisit Chongqing. They held meetings with municipal leaders to learn about the latest economic and social developments in Chongqing, especially in industries such as automobiles. They expressed hopes for continued deepening of friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between the two places.

Source: Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government