China-Hungary, Russia-Belarus "Establish Comprehensive Partnership"

Xi Jinping, "Hungary is an All-Weather Strategic Partner"
Agreements on Projects in 18 Sectors Including Energy and Infrastructure
Putin at Military Parade: "Tactical Nuclear Cooperation with Belarus"

China and Russia, which are confronting Western powers, are building strategic relationships by closely aligning with European countries.

On the 9th (local time), according to AFP and Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb?n held talks in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, and held a joint press conference, stating, "The two countries will establish an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership and develop the level of cooperation," and "We will sign agreements in 18 fields including energy and infrastructure and promote close cooperative projects."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although specific project details were not mentioned, it is reported that the content includes promoting existing cooperative projects in fields such as railway and road infrastructure construction, nuclear energy, and the automobile industry. China is known to have invested more than $16 billion (about 22 trillion won) in Hungarian investment projects over recent years. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is building an electric vehicle factory in Hungary aiming for mass production in 2026, and battery maker CATL is also constructing an electric vehicle battery factory worth $7.8 billion.

The two leaders expressed consensus not only on economic matters but also on security and diplomatic issues. In particular, despite Hungary being an EU member, Prime Minister Orb?n declared support for "the peace plan proposed by President Xi" regarding the end of the Ukraine war. China's Ukraine peace plan announced last year called for a ceasefire but did not demand the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied territories, differing from the ceasefire proposals of Western countries.

While China is diplomatically aligning closely with Hungary, Russia is also solidifying its strategic relationship with Belarus. President Vladimir Putin emphasized at the Victory Day parade held at Red Square in Moscow, "No one will be allowed to threaten us," and "Our strategic forces are always in a state of combat readiness."

He continued, "Russia and Belarusian forces have begun joint preparations for tactical nuclear weapons training," and explained, "Because non-strategic nuclear weapons are stationed on Belarusian territory, we invited our friend and ally, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko." Non-strategic or tactical nuclear weapons are nuclear arms with reduced explosive power intended for battlefield use, unlike strategic nuclear weapons that can destroy entire cities.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that more than 9,000 troops were mobilized for this parade. Although this is a slight increase from last year (8,000), it is lower than in 2020 (14,000) and 2022 (11,000). Local media reported that only 61 types of weapons were observed at the parade, contrary to the Ministry of Defense's claim of 75 types. Leaders from former Soviet countries such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as leaders from Cuba and Laos, attended the parade. Western and other unfriendly countries were not invited.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.