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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Meets Chinese Leader Xi Jinping in Beijing Amid Rising Tensions
Beijing – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, following controversial visits to Moscow and Kyiv that Orban described as part of a “peace mission.”
Orban, often criticized in the West for his pro-Russia stance amidst Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine, posted a photo of his arrival at a Beijing airport on social media platform X, captioned “Peace mission 3.0.” The talks between the two leaders at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse centered on “in-depth communication” about the war in Ukraine, according to a readout from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Orban’s visit to China occurred just a day before a NATO summit in Washington, where US President Joe Biden is set to host leaders from the alliance, including Hungary, to discuss continued support for Ukraine. Orban’s spokesperson confirmed that Washington would be his next stop after Beijing.
China, Russia’s most crucial diplomatic ally, is also expected to be a key topic at the NATO gathering. NATO leaders have expressed increasing alarm over what they perceive as China’s backing of Russia’s war effort through the provision of dual-use goods and other forms of support. Beijing has denied supplying weapons to either side and insists it maintains strict controls on dual-use exports. China claims neutrality in the conflict but has positioned itself as a potential peace broker while deepening ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During Monday’s meeting, Xi reiterated Beijing’s call for a ceasefire in Ukraine, a stance that has been criticized in the West for seemingly aiding Russia in consolidating its territorial gains without demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian soil. Orban, seen as Putin’s closest ally in Europe, has also been advocating for a ceasefire rather than military support for Ukraine.
Orban praised China as a “key power in creating the conditions for peace” and highlighted the importance of his visit to Beijing, coming just two months after Xi’s official visit to Budapest. Xi emphasized that China and Hungary share similar views on Ukraine and indirectly criticized the United States and its allies for “fanning” the conflict by arming Ukraine.
Orban’s visit to Beijing follows his recent trips to Russia and Ukraine, which took place just a week after Hungary assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. His meeting with Putin in Moscow marked the first visit by an EU leader since April 2022 and drew criticism from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who condemned Orban’s approach and stressed that unity and determination are essential for achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Orban’s diplomatic tour is set to conclude with his participation in the NATO summit in Washington, where he is expected to brief other leaders on his recent talks with Putin and Xi. His visit to Moscow came after a stop in Kyiv, where he proposed a ceasefire to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a suggestion dismissed by Zelensky’s office, which maintains that restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity is a prerequisite for peace.
Orban and Xi last met in May when they upgraded bilateral ties to an “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership,” despite mounting European concerns over China’s security threat. During Monday’s meeting, Xi reiterated his wish for Hungary to play an “active role” in promoting stable China-EU relations during its EU Council presidency.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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