On February 3, Austrian President Heinz Fischer and Prime Minister Wolfgang Schüssel met respectively with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.
Fischer said that the Austrian side is proud of the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago and hopes that bilateral relations will continue in-depth development. The high-level exchanges between the two countries are of great significance to bilateral relations and the Austrian side expects that the Chinese leader will visit their country at the earliest date possible.
Li said that bilateral relations have witnessed sound development and the leaders of both countries have maintained close contact. Both sides have also conducted fruitful economic and trade cooperation. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and a series of activities of the "Year of China" have been started in Austria. China would like to do a good job in co-sponsoring such activities with Austria. China attaches great importance to Austria's important role in the EU and hopes that Austria will play a positive role for the development of China-EU relations.
Schüssel said that it is an unswerving policy of the Austrian government to develop relations with China and the one-China policy adopted by Austria will not change. He said that energy and environmental protection are common issues faced by the international community and Austria hopes to conduct cooperation with China in these areas. He pointed out that China is an important force for peace, stability and development and Austria would like to strengthen cooperation with China in developing EU-China relations, as well as in international affairs.
Li noted that bilateral relations have been developing soundly and the leaders of the two countries have agreed on cooperation in the next couple of years. In the near future both sides should actively implement cooperation in the areas of renewable energy technology and environmental protection.
On the same day, Li held talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and both sides reached consensus in the following four aspects. First, to maintain high-level exchanges and strengthen consultations and coordination on major international issues. Second, to expand cooperation in the areas of infrastructure construction, telecommunications, energy, environmental protection, ecological agriculture, biotechnologies and traditional Chinese medicine. Third, to deepen exchanges in the areas of culture & education, science & technology, health, tourism and personnel training. Fourth, to continue dialogue and cooperation in the areas of human rights and judicature.