A reception was given Monday at the Hungarian embassy in Beijing to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Hungary and China. 

Wang Zhongyu, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said at the reception that Hungary is one of the first countries in the world to recognize the People's Republic of China. 

In the past 55 years, Wang recalled, the people of the two countries have maintained mutual understanding and mutual respect, which provided the basis for the bilateral ties.

Hungary and China have witnessed a sound growth momentum in bilateral ties over recent years, with a frequent exchange of high-level visits and expanded cooperation in various fields such as science and technology and tourism, Wang noted, expressing his hope to further the friendly relations between the two sides. 

Visiting State Secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andras Hajdu told a press conference prior to the reception that Hungary attaches great importance on developing its relations with China. 

At present, he noted, bilateral ties between Hungary and China are in an encouraging period, and the high-level visits between the two countries in recent years opened a new chapter in the annals of development for bilateral relations. 

Hajdu went on to say that the Hungarian side hoped to enhance its cooperation with China in such fields as agriculture, biotechnology, information technology, logistics and tourism, and was ready to provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises to conduct economic cooperation with Hungary. 

Hajdu and his delegation arrived in Beijing Sunday for a six-day visit to China.

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2004)