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International relations

Xi's Hungary trip sets stage for China to gain ground in Eastern Europe

Slovakia expected to seek closer ties with Beijing as EU rift over China widens

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at a news conference on May 9. Both countries have declared an "all weather" partnership. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP)

HAMBURG, Germany -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday wrapped up his European tour in Hungary where both sides signed a raft of deals, following a similarly productive trip earlier to Serbia, highlighting the different approach he took in France.

Xi rewarded his closest European allies with promises of big infrastructure spending and cooperation agreements in his first trip to the continent in five years. But to France, the Chinese government only agreed to a stay on a cognac import tariff.

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