"Chinese companies in Hungary scramble to adjust to post-Orban era", 19 May 2026, SCMP

[...] BYD has ordered contractors building its Hungarian factory to sign pledges to comply with the country’s labour laws – part of a broader scramble by many Chinese companies as a new government in Budapest vows to crack down on illegal practices by foreign firms.

The new Hungarian government, [...], vowed to adopt a stricter approach to foreign investment [...].

During a news conference after his landslide victory in elections on April 12, Magyar called on Chinese companies in Hungary, including BYD and battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), to follow Hungarian environmental and labour regulations.

In a report [...], China Labour Watch, [...] alleged that Chinese migrant workers at the site had been subjected to illegal practices [...].

BYD Hungary said it launched a comprehensive review after the release of the report, which included assessing the practices of labour providers to ensure full compliance. It said it placed the highest priority on labour rights and compliance with Hungarian and European law.

Meanwhile, CATL said its multi-billion-euro factory near Hungary’s second-biggest city, Debrecen, started battery cell production on May 6, after obtaining all the necessary permits.