BEIJING: China and Austria shall continuously open up new chapters of cooperation that is mutually beneficial, as the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.
In a telephone conversation with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Wang said that since the COVID-19 outbreak, China and Austria have helped each other, fought together against difficulties, and actively carried out anti-epidemic cooperation. As Austria is currently taking effective measures to control the epidemic, Wang said, he believes the country will certainly be able to win the final victory.
Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Austria, Wang suggested the two sides take this opportunity to earnestly sum up valuable experience in bilateral cooperation, actively carry out cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and continue to open up new chapters of cooperation that is mutually beneficial.
In August, Austria’s first China-Europe freight train pulled out of Vienna for Xi’an, marking another important step forward in the “Belt and Road” cooperation between the two countries, Wang said.
China, which is actively building a new development pattern and strive to achieve high-quality development, welcomes the Austrian side to seize the opportunity to strengthen cooperation in high-end manufacturing, digital economy, energy conservation and environmental protection, and other fields, he said.
Beijing will host the Winter Olympic Games early next year, while Austria is a winter sport power which has held the games, Wang said, adding the two sides could boost cooperation, including exchanges and reference in venue construction, personnel training, hosting experience and other aspects. – Agencies
