On Thursday, Hungarian Minister of National Economy Nagy Márton stressed the importance of China as an important economic partner of Hungary at a ceremony for the issuance of the Year of the Dragon stamp series between Hungarian Post and Budapest.
The Hungarian Post has issued an eleventh set of stamps on the theme of the Chinese zodiac to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Year of the Dragon. The minister expressed optimism for the future and stressed that the stamp series will help promote cultural understanding between the two countries.
The minister said that with its strategic location, Hungary's goal remains to become a crossroads of East and West economies and technologies. He praised Hungary's open-east policy, which it launched in 2010. It was also noted that in 2014 the proportion of direct investment in Hungary from Eastern countries was 188%, which has now risen to 34%.
The world economy is shifting to Asia, and China is playing an increasingly important role in it. China is Hungary's ninth largest partner, accounting for more than 4% of Hungary's total foreign exports, and has become Hungary's largest partner outside Europe. Hungary is home to 380 Chinese companies employing 16,000 people, and in 2023, China ranked first in attracting foreign capital in the country. Hungary is also China's most important investment partner in Central and Eastern Europe.
Under the Belt and Road Initiative, around 890 billion euros have flowed into the world since 2013, of which about 40 billion euros have gone to Central and Eastern Europe. Hungary is in second place in the region with 3.9 billion euros, mainly thanks to the Budapest-Belgrade project.
Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao said that 2024 is the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese lunar calendar, which symbolizes luck, strength and wisdom. Among the 2024 goals, the two countries will deepen cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative and promote local autonomy and cultural exchanges.
Balczó Balázs, president and CEO of Hungarian Post, revealed that the stamp, designed by graphic artist Bódi Katalin, is expected to issue 20,000 copies.