Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) shakes hands with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on the sidelines of the China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries leaders' meeting in East China's Suzhou, Nov 24, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

SUZHOU, Jiangsu - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Hungarian Prime Minister Orban Viktor have discussed the state of their countries' bilateral ties on the sidelines of the China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries leaders' meeting in East China's Suzhou.

Speaking highly of the friendship and fruitful cooperation between the two countries, Li said China is willing to strengthen political mutual trust with Hungary, connect their development strategies, expand trade cooperation and increase cultural exchanges, on the basis of mutual respect and equality.

Orban said China has been a good friend to Hungary in its assistance to Hungary's social and economic development.

He said Hungary would continue to support the development of CEE-China relations and EU-China relations.

Li described the Hungary-Serbia railway project, which he proposed during his Serbia visit in 2014, as a landmark for cooperation between China and Europe and an important element of infrastructure linking the two.

The Chinese premier said he hoped the two sides could accelerate preparations to begin building the line. Orban agreed.