On May 5th to 10th, Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping will be visiting Europe, with planned stops in France, Serbia, and Hungary. The pro-Communist government of Hungary is making significant preparations for Xi’s visit. Despite allowing Chinese police to patrol in the country, local reports suggest that Budapest may be closed off during Xi’s visit, with heightened security measures in place.
According to a report by the local investigative news site VSquare in Budapest, a source familiar with the situation in Hungary revealed that the Hungarian Counterterrorism Center (TEK), responsible for protecting Hungarian and foreign dignitaries, is preparing for a high-level delegation of around 400 Chinese people to visit Budapest from May 8th to 10th. Hungary is invoking the highest security protocols, similar to those used during Pope Francis’ visit to Hungary last year.
The source added, “This will be painful for the city.” This implies that such strict security measures could result in the closure of Budapest. Furthermore, traffic restrictions are expected to be even more stringent than during the Pope’s visit. For instance, there are considerations to close the popular Budapest Castle Hill Funicular, which is located next to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s office.
As the funicular is scheduled to be suspended on May 9th, some speculate that Xi Jinping may have a meeting in Orban’s office on that day.
Prime Minister Orban’s establishment of the concept of an “illiberal state” has sparked international controversy. Since Orban’s second term in 2010, Hungary has experienced a democratic backsliding, moving towards authoritarianism.
Orban’s government reached a security agreement with the Chinese Communist Party in February of this year, allowing Chinese police to patrol in the country. This move has faced strong opposition in Hungary.
Experts cited by Voice of America suggest that Xi Jinping’s visit to Hungary and Serbia is aimed at boosting China’s Belt and Road infrastructure projects in Europe. In recent months, the Hungarian government has been trying to attract significant Chinese investment, particularly in the electric vehicle sector. Hungary’s membership in the European Union also gives it influence over EU sanctions.
Regarding Xi Jinping’s visit to Hungary, local authorities are on high alert. Commentator Li Linyi remarked that this level of security is not surprising. Since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party, Xi Jinping has consolidated his power and aims to seek reelection in the next term. However, he may be concerned about potential repercussions if he were to fall from power, leading to heightened security measures both domestically and internationally.
Recent reports have shed light on the extensive security measures surrounding Xi Jinping’s foreign visits. During the BRICS summit in South Africa in August 2023, it was confirmed that Xi brought a delegation of up to 500 people, booking out two hotels and bringing in all furniture from China, leaving no trace of South Africa in the rooms. In Papua New Guinea in November 2018, Xi had two domestically produced armored vehicles air-freighted. During his visit to Portugal in December of the same year, Xi spent two million euros to book out all the rooms at a Lisbon hotel and widened the hotel garage door to accommodate his armored vehicles.
Not only during international visits, but Xi Jinping’s security operations within China are also extensive. During his visit to Hong Kong on July 1, 2017, nearly ten thousand officers including Special Duties Unit, Mobile Tactical Unit, and Anti-Terrorism Special Unit were deployed. Helicopters conducted surveillance from the air, and snipers were stationed on rooftops near the hotel where Xi stayed. As Xi prepared to leave the airport, his armored car was surrounded by bodyguards who even ran alongside the vehicle.
In April 2018, during Xi Jinping’s inspection tour of Wuhan, Hubei province, and meeting with the informal visit of Indian Prime Minister Modi, hundreds of snipers were deployed in the area, with tens of thousands of plainclothes police officers stationed in the streets. After Xi left Wuhan, a video circulated online showing thousands of plainclothes officers withdrawing in a manner resembling a large-scale parade.