Austrian President Heinz Fischer met with the visiting Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming in Vienna, Capital of Austria, on May 19. The two parties exchanged views on Chinese Trade & Investment Promotion Mission to Austria, China-Austria trade and economic relations and China-EU trade and economic relations.

Fischer expressed his warm welcome for Chen heading the Chinese Trade & Investment Promotion Mission to Austria. He said that the mission was the largest one since the establishment of China-Austria diplomatic ties 40 years ago. And he was happy to see the great achievements in economy and trade between the two countries. If China-Austria relationship is a beautiful necklace, this visit can be taken as the most brilliant diamond of the necklace. Austria is China’s reliable political and trading partner, the bilateral cooperation of the two countries has broader prospect.

Chen expressed his sincere congratulation to Fisher on his second term as President. He said that this mission organized by the Ministry of Commerce aimed to implement the consensus made by Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Austrian President Fisher in the beginning of 2010 in Beijing and the commitments made by the Chinese government. Chen hoped that this visit could lay a solid foundation for creating opportunities and platforms for the future cooperation of enterprises of the two countries and show the whole world that China and Austria firmly advocate the concept of openness and cooperation in practice. At present, as the trade and economic cooperation of the two countries in traditional sectors is more and more mature, the two parties should strive to foster new growths and enhance the cooperation in green economy.

Additionally, Chinese Ambassador to Austria Wu Ken was present at the meeting.