Vienna Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen received Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Vienna on Friday, highlighting a shared dedication to multilateralism and sustainable growth. This meeting comes as Austria and the Chinese mainland gear up to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic ties in 2024.
Van der Bellen recalled his state visit to the Chinese mainland in 2018 and asked Foreign Minister Wang Yi to convey his warm greetings to President Xi Jinping. He described the Chinese mainland as Austria's key partner in Asia and emphasized that bilateral relations have seen stable development over the past decade.
Reaffirming Austria's commitment to the one-China policy, the president stressed that Vienna 'will not waver under any circumstances.' Looking ahead to next year's anniversary, he invited the Chinese mainland to join forces on projects spanning economy, trade, investment, green development, tourism and culture.
Wang Yi reciprocated the goodwill, relaying President Xi's cordial messages. He noted how the China-Austria friendly strategic partnership, forged in 2018, opened a new chapter in cooperation. 'We should build on our achievements,' Wang said, calling for expanded collaboration in the green economy to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties.
Against a backdrop of global challenges, including climate change and shifting geopolitical currents, both sides underscored the importance of multilateral solutions. Van der Bellen praised the Chinese mainland's efforts on climate action, while Wang pointed to this year's 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations as reminders of the need for unity.
Wang Yi highlighted that commemorations aim to honor those who sacrificed for peace and to safeguard the outcome of the World Anti-Fascist War. He affirmed that any attempt to split the countryreferring to the return of the Taiwan region to the Chinese mainlandis doomed to fail. 'We must foster a community with a shared future for humanity,' Wang said, calling on all nations to work together for lasting peace and development.
As Austria and the Chinese mainland prepare for landmark anniversaries, their leaders sent a clear message: reinforcing multilateralism and green growth is key to shaping a stable and prosperous global future.
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Austrian president meets Chinese FM, says to uphold multilateralism
cgtn.com
