Dr. Csaba Hende: We Will Launch a Regular Security Policy Dialogue with China

Szöveg: honvedelem.hu / MTI | 2013. november 13. 9:01

In the course of his talks in China, Minister of Defence Dr. Csaba Hende came to an agreement with General Chang Wanquan, Minister of National Defence in launching a strategic security policy dialogue, the Hungarian Defence Minister told MTI on Monday, November 11 in Beijing.

The strategic security policy dialogue expressly means lifting the bilateral relations to a quality new level. Accordingly, the competent leaders of the Hungarian and Chinese Ministries will exchange views, give information about their stands on international security policy issues on a regular annual basis, the Minister said, adding that China has cooperation of this sort with around twenty countries.

General Chang Wanquan, Minister of National Defence of China welcomed Minister of Defence Dr. Csaba Hende with military honours in Beijing in front of the Chinese Ministry of National Defence

The two portfolio heads reviewed the current issues of international security policy during their talks, devoting special attention to the Pacific Ocean region, and within this to the situation in Afghanistan and the Korean Peninsula, but they also touched upon the question of the stabilisation in the Balkans.

“In respect of the security of the Korean Peninsula and the region, China is deeply concerned with the increasing tension there, and the Chinese Minister indicated the nuclear armament of North Korea as the reason of this tension"- Dr. Csaba Hende stated. As he told us, he informed his hosts about the peacekeeping operations, in which Hungary is participating, and the strength of our forces stationing in Afghanistan and the Balkans, which was highly appreciated by his Chinese counterpart. “The Chinese Minister suggested that he would like to have a deeper cooperation with Hungary in the area of peacekeeping. China has been strengthening its role in the UN-missions in recent times, although its role-taking is far from being proportionate to its economic and political weight according to the international community" – Dr. Csaba Hende noted.

The two Ministers reviewed the current issues of the international security policy during their talks

The Minister met with General Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, who emphasised that China will never forget that in 1949 Hungary was among the first countries, which recognised the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and – as he said -, the friendship is still alive in spite of the political changes that happened in the meantime.

Dr. Csaba Hende thanked the two military leaders for leaving the session of the Communist Party’s Central Committee in Beijing, in favour of these meetings. At the same time, he invited them for a visit to Hungary, which they accepted with thanks.

On Saturday, the Minister was the guest of the Shanghai Military District Commander, and his Monday program includes the inspection of the 3rd Motor Rifle Division of the Beijing Military District Command.