At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Mr. Heinz Fischer, President of Austria-China Friendship Association (ACFA) and former President of the Republic of Austria, led a delegation to visit China from September 7th to 17.

Mr. Li Yuanchao, Vice President of People’s Republic of China (PRC), met in Beijing with Heinz Fischer on September 7th. Vice President Li Yuanchao said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria 46 years ago, the bilateral ties had developed well and the cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, trade and humanity had achieved remarkable results. The Chinese side spoke highly of the active support Austria side had given for the construction of The Belt and Road and the cooperation between China and Europe. The Chinese side also hoped that both sides should expand pragmatic cooperation, deepen the friendship of the two peoples and push bilateral relations for improvement with the spirit of mutual respect, equal treatment and win-win cooperation.
Heinz Fischer said that Austria paid more attention to the relations with China and was happy to see the prosperity of Chinese development. He is willing to strengthen the cooperation of the two countries in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture, winter sports and etc..

On September 9th, during their meeting, President Li Xiaolin spoke highly of the Heinz Fischer for insisting on attaching great importance to the relations with China and expressed her willingness to work together with Austria-China Friendship Association to promote the development of the cause of the people-to-people friendship between China and Austria. The delegation also visited Sichuan Province, Chongqing Municipality and Shanghai，and attended China-Austria Enterprises Cooperation Fair in Jieyang, Guangdong Province. Mr. Mitterlehner, former Deputy Prime Minister of Austria and Minister of Economy Ministry, Mr. Commenda, Chief of Staff of Austrian army, accompanied with the delegation.