Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen in Beijing on April 8.

Premier Li welcomed President Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz who are on a joint state visit to China. He said that Austria is China’s important partner in Europe. President Xi Jinping has held talks with Van der Bellen, and the two sides planned the future development of bilateral relations.

China is willing to grasp the opportunity with Austria to cooperate on development strategies, deepen people-to-people exchanges and enhance communications and coordination in international affairs to improve all-round bilateral relations, the Premier said.

Premier Li pointed out that the solidly based China-Austria cooperation has advantages and potential power. China is willing to continue to expand bilateral trade and two-way investment with Austria, create new growth points in high-end manufacturing, science and technology and innovation, energy-saving and environmental protection. China also will expand cooperation with Austria under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the 16+1 cooperation mechanism to reach mutual benefit and a win-win situation, the Premier said.

China is willing to promote the liberalization and convenience of trade and investment with European countries, including Austria, Premier Li said. Together they will oppose protectionism of any kind, protect and enhance the multilateral trade system, and continue to increase people’s welfare in the two countries.

Van der Bellen said his visit with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz represents that Austria attaches great importance to its relationship with China. Both having long histories of cultural tradition, the two nations are committed to protecting culture and relics, and are proud of their great achievements.

The Austrian side spoke highly of China’s economic development, praising it as unprecedented in world history. Austria is willing to expand bilateral economic cooperation, and promote tourism and people-to-people exchanges to advance bilateral ties to a new level, he said.

Austria has been supporting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and maintaining the multilateral trade mechanism. And, as Austria will serve its rotation in the presidency of the Council of European Union from July to December, the country is ready to promote cooperation between Europe and Asia.