Xi Jinping Meets with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of Austria

On April 29, 2019, President Xi Jinping met with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of Austria at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese side attaches great importance to developing China-Austria relations. The friendly strategic partnership between the two countries has been continuously enriched. China-Austria cooperation enjoys huge potential and broad prospects. The two sides should treat each other as equals, respect each other and constantly push bilateral relations to new heights. We need to build more platforms for the two countries to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges and promote people-to-people bonds. The Chinese side welcomes the Austrian side's active participation in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative and the 16+1 cooperation, and appreciates the Austrian side's openness to Chinese investment. Austrian companies are welcome to seize the opportunities brought by China's new round of opening up.

Xi Jinping stressed that the international community needs more stable factors in a world of increasing instability and uncertainty. The Chinese side attaches great importance to the position and role of Europe. There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and Europe on major issues, and strengthening cooperation is in line with the common interests of both sides. We hope the Austrian side will continue to exert its influence and actively support and push forward China-Europe relations.

Sebastian Kurz congratulated China on the successful hosting of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He expressed that China has made major contributions to world peace and stability and that it is in the world's interest for China to maintain its economic development. Austria regards China as a strategic partner and is committed to strengthening its strategic relations with China. In the year since I took office as Austrian Chancellor, I have visited China three times. Speaking highly of China's measures for further reform and opening up announced by President Xi Jinping, the Austrian side is willing to expand bilateral trade and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and strengthen cooperation in the third-party market. Austria firmly supports multilateralism and trade liberalization and is ready to contribute to deepening Europe-China relations.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others attended the meeting.