President Xi Jinping of China visited Hungary to meet with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is known for his support of warm relations with China and Russia. Xi received a warm welcome, and protests were avoided. The leaders pledged to strengthen their already-friendly relations, diverging from the European Union's view of China. They focused on economic cooperation, including joint projects and Chinese investment in Hungary. Orban's transformation from a critic of China to its admirer has raised concerns within the EU. Hungary's close ties with China have muted domestic criticism, but have also strained its relations with the US.