Premier Li Keqiang met with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in Beijing on April 28.

Premier Li said that Austria is an important partner of China in Europe, adding that the two sides have always adhered to mutual respect and equal treatment, and that bilateral relations have continued to develop.

China is willing to deepen trust with Austria, maintain high-level exchanges, expand practical cooperation, and push bilateral relations to a new level, he said.

The Premier said there is significant potential for cooperation between China and Austria in high-tech manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. China has a huge market and is committed to further opening-up and creating a market-oriented, legalized and internationalized business environment. 

We are willing to increase the number of flights between the two countries in accordance with market need and to strengthen scientific research cooperation and winter sports exchanges, the Premier said.

He said he hopes that Austria, as a member of the European Union, will continue to play an active role in the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

Kurz congratulated China on a successful second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. He said that China is a strategic partner of Austria and that ties between the two countries are deepening.

Austria appreciates China’s achievements in development, and is willing to deepen cooperation with China in economy and trade, agriculture, tourism, and on the Winter Olympic Games.

Premier Li and Kurz attended a signing ceremony of cooperation documents after the meeting.

Before the meeting, Premier Li held a welcoming ceremony for Kurz in front of the Great Hall of the People.

Xiao Jie, secretary-general of the State Council, He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, and He Wei, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, also attended the meeting.