Zoltan  Kiszelly, director of the Center of Political Analyses at Hungary's  Szazadveg Foundation, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in  Budapest, Hungary, Dec. 10, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

By Geza Molnar

BUDAPEST,  Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- For Zoltan Kiszelly, director of the Center of  Political Analyses at Hungary's Szazadveg Foundation, his first visit to  China was a blend of discovery, dialogue, and cultural appreciation.

Invited  by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Kiszelly participated in a  study tour and conference in late November that left him with a profound  impression of China's development, history, and approach to the future.

"It  was my first time in China," Kiszelly said in an exclusive interview  with Xinhua. The Hungarian expert attended the book launch of Prime  Minister Viktor Orban's political director, Balazs Orban, who promotes  the Hungarian government's stance on connectivity as a counterpoint to  decoupling, de-risking, and anti-globalization.

The journey began  in Chongqing, a bustling metropolis and one of the starting points of  the China-Europe Railway Express. "It was very impressive to see the  logistical hub where goods are assembled and prepared for shipment to  Europe, 8,000 kilometers away," he remarked. Standing at the  zero-kilometer stone where the trains begin their journey gave Kiszelly a  real sense of China's vision for global connectivity.

TECHNOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL MARVELS

Kiszelly's  visit to Chongqing showcased the city's dual focus on cutting-edge  innovation and ancient heritage. At a robotics company, he observed how  technology is being used to tackle dangerous tasks. "It was fascinating  to see 21st-century technology in action," he said. "These robots can  take over dangerous jobs from people working in hazardous environments."

The  cultural experiences were equally striking. "We visited 800-year-old  mountain carvings -- monuments of ancient Chinese culture," he shared.  "And the nighttime river cruise on the Yangtze, with the city's lights  illuminating the skyline, was truly breathtaking."

Kiszelly  highlighted the warmth and curiosity of the people he encountered. "We  spoke with technicians, engineers, and academics," he explained.

BRIDGING THE PAST AND FUTURE

From  Chongqing, Kiszelly traveled to Beijing for a two-day conference at the  Chinese Archaeological Museum. The venue itself symbolized China's  vision of connecting the past with the future. "The conference  juxtaposed 5,000 years of history with discussions about the 21st  century," Kiszelly said, reflecting on the depth of Chinese civilization  and its ambitious outlook.

The modern infrastructure of Beijing,  which hosted both the Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games,  also left a lasting impression. "The scale and organization of the  development were remarkable," he said. He also toured the Museum of the  Communist Party of China which he described as a compelling narrative of  China's journey, presented in an accessible way.

A SHARED FUTURE

Kiszelly  noted that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aligns seamlessly with  Hungary's Eastern Opening policy. "The term 'all-weather strategic  comprehensive partnership' means that the two countries have more in  common and want to enhance and embolden their relationship."

He  also recalled that Hungary was the first country to recognize the  People's Republic of China 75 years ago and the first European nation to  join the BRI. "That underlines and shows the long-term relationship  between Hungary and China over the past 75 years," he said.

Kiszelly  observed that the scale of China's urban development and manufacturing  capacity is unmatched. He saw a level of industrial focus and innovation  rarely found elsewhere. "It was impressive to see how many people, how  many engineers, and how many companies are working for the future."

One  word recurred frequently during Kiszelly's interview: connectivity.  "With Chinese technology, we can develop our countries and face common  threats to mankind. For instance, with China's green technology --  electric vehicles, solar panels, and other renewable innovations -- we  can tackle climate change. We get a better environment and better living  conditions. This is how the Hungarian government views connectivity."

The work China is putting into building the future represents "a shared future for mankind in a new era," Kiszelly said.