A new Hungarian-language translation of a collection of short stories by Chinese writer Lu Xun was launched in Budapest on Monday to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the writer's birth.

The collection contains ten short stories by Lu Xun, one of the luminaries of modern Chinese literature who died in 1936. The book was translated by Endre Galla, a renowned Hungarian expert on China and the works of Lu Xun.

Galla passed away in 2008. His widow, Mao Shoufu, who was present at the book launch, said that Lu Xun was the first Chinese literary figure to pay serious attention to East European literature in general.

In particular, the writer was interested in the works of Hungarian poet and revolutionary Sandor Petofi who was one of the leaders of the Hungarian revolution against Habsburg rule in 1848.

"Lu Xun was very fond of the young revolutionary Petofi's poems whose primary theme was freedom. He was able to translate the pitch of their meaning perfectly," she said.

Li Qiang, chairman of Zhejiang Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said the new book clearly showed the "deep friendship" between Hungary and China.

Janos Szentmartoni, president of the Hungarian Writer's Association, said Lu Xun is credited with introducing Hungarian literature to China and called the book "a new avenue for friendship between the two nations."