"Only when the great powers show positive energy, instead of negative energy, can a ray of hope for a ceasefire in this conflict emerge as quickly as possible," said Xi Jinping, quoted by state television CCTV.
China and Hungary "share" fundamentally the same ideas, the Chinese leader added.
Orbán made a surprise visit to China today after similar trips last week to Russia and Ukraine to discuss the prospects for a peace deal in Ukraine.
The Hungarian leader praised China's "constructive and important initiatives" to achieve peace and described Beijing as a stabilizing force in a period of global turmoil, according to CCTV.
In addition to Russia and Ukraine, the end of the war "depends on the decision of three world powers, the United States, the European Union and China", wrote Orbán in a Facebook post that shows him shaking hands with Xi.
Orbán met the Chinese leader just two months ago, when he received him in Hungary, as part of a visit to three European countries that also included stops in France and Serbia.
Hungary has established important political and economic ties with China. The European nation hosts a number of Chinese electric vehicle battery installations and, in December, announced that Chinese automotive giant BYD will open its first European electric car production plant in the south of the country.
"Peace mission 3.0" is the caption of the photograph of Orbán published today on the social network X, which depicts him after getting off the plane in Beijing. He was received by Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Hua Chunying and other officials.
His unannounced visit follows similar trips last week to Moscow and Kiev, where he proposed that Ukraine consider the possibility of reaching an immediate ceasefire with Russia.
His visit to Moscow drew condemnation from Kiev and European leaders.
"The number of countries that can talk to both sides in conflict is decreasing," Orbán said. "Hungary is slowly becoming the only country in Europe that can talk to everyone," he argued.
Hungary assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union in early July and Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Orbán had gone to Moscow as one of the main representatives of the European Council. Several senior European officials rejected that suggestion and said Orbán had no mandate for anything beyond a discussion of bilateral relations.
Since the start of the conflict, China has adopted an ambiguous stance on the war in Ukraine, calling for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine, and respect for the "legitimate security concerns" of all parties, in reference to Russia.
Beijing also condemned unilateral sanctions against Moscow for "not resolving the problems" and repeatedly called for a "political solution" to the conflict.
Orbán called for a "ceasefire", contradicting the positions of the Ukrainians and their European allies.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky rejected this idea, considering that Moscow would use it to strengthen its position. The Ukrainian plan requires the full withdrawal of Russian troops from the country, including from the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014, and payment for the damage caused since the invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine crucially needs Western help to resist Russia.
The Hungarian Prime Minister stands out for his opposition to this aid. At the beginning of the year, he vetoed a 50 billion euro package from the EU, which ended up being approved with some delay.
