Chinese president visits Austria for stronger ties

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Austrian leaders and talked with farm workers in an ongoing state visit to the central European country aimed at boosting bilateral relations and cooperation. Hu met his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer on Monday morning and presented a multi-point proposal on further strengthening bilateral cooperation. Hu proposed that the two sides enhance their political relationship based on equality and mutual trust, continue with their frequent high-level contacts and steer bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. The two countries should also expand their mutually beneficial economic and trade relations and make concerted efforts to fight trade protectionism and encourage mutual investment, he said. In the culture sphere, the two sides should promote people-to-people exchanges and boost cooperation in culture, eduction and media among others, Hu said. The two countries should also deepen cooperation in multilateral mechanisms to jointly push for a more just and fairer international political and economic order, Hu said. Fischer agreed with Hu's proposal, saying his country is willing to enhance cooperation with China and expand coordination in the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks. Austria will play an active role in seeking the EU's recognition of China's full market economy status, Fischer said. After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation agreements and documents. In the afternoon, Hu met Chancellor Werner Faymann and National Council President Barbara Prammer. During the meetings, Hu reiterated China's willingness to further promote cooperation with Austria in economy, trade, legislative coordination and other areas. When meeting Faymann, Hu stressed that the two sides need to expand "green cooperation," take concrete steps to carry out the China-Austria Technology Park project and elevate their cooperation on green technology to a higher level. Faymann said Austria stands ready to work with China to enhance practical cooperation in various areas and is willing to discuss with the Chinese side on the creation of the ecological park. During the meeting with Prammer, Hu said both sides should continue to strengthen consultation and coordination on international affairs. Hu also called for more exchanges and closer communication between the two countries' legislatures. Noting that the Austrian National Council and China's National People's Congress have maintained a good relationship, Prammer expressed the hope that the two legislatures will promote exchanges and cooperation. Besides high-level talks, Hu also made close contact with the local people and culture. He visited Austria's national library on Monday, toured a farm near Salzburg on Tuesday morning, and a visit to Mozart's residence is also on the itinerary. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Austria. Over the past 40 years, the China-Austria relations have developed continuously with frequent exchanges of high-level visits, increases in bilateral trade, and more visitors traveling to each other's countries. China became Austria's biggest trading partner outside Europe in 2010, when their two-way trade rose to 6 billion U.S. dollars, marking a 26 percent increase over the previous year. Following his stay in Austria, Hu will fly to France to attend the summit of the Group of 20 major economies slated for Nov. 3-4 in Cannes.