China and Austria Reaffirm Strategic Partnership

The Republic of Austria and the People's Republic of China are celebrating the 55th anniversary of the establishment of their bilateral diplomatic relations. To commemorate this historic milestone, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen officially exchanged congratulatory messages. Both heads of state reaffirmed their mutual commitment to enhancing their strategic partnership amidst an increasingly turbulent and unstable global environment.

The diplomatic anniversary coincides with a period of intensive bilateral exchanges and marks the conclusion of a significant diplomatic chapter in Vienna. Chinese Ambassador to Austria Qi Mei is leaving her post after serving several years in the capital. In her concluding remarks, Ambassador Qi Mei highly praised the enduring resilience of the Sino-Austrian relationship and discussed prospective frameworks for future diplomatic, cultural, and economic cooperation between the two nations.

During the exchange, President Xi Jinping recalled the foundational 2018 state visit by President Van der Bellen to China, which established the "Friendly Strategic Partnership". Xi noted that both countries have successfully weathered international storms to develop in a stable manner, highlighting emotional bonds such as the arrival of new "panda ambassadors" in Vienna last year. He called for both nations to collaborate closely as steadfast advocates of free trade and multilateralism.

President Van der Bellen echoed these sentiments, identifying the 2018 visit as a historic turning point that accelerated cooperation across science, culture, education, and the economy. To mark the anniversary, an official ceremony was hosted at the Austrian Parliament. The event emphasized the importance of expanding mutual understanding, maintaining direct communication channels, and building bridges to preserve international stability during times of geopolitical upheaval.

• https://www.vindobona.org/article/55-years-of-diplomatic-relations-china-and-austria-reaffirm-their-strategic-partnership-in-the-inter