Wang Yi in Vienna: New dimensions of the Austrian-Chinese partnership!

Wang Yi in Vienna: New dimensions of the Austrian-Chinese partnership!

On Friday, September 11, 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will be received in Vienna. At a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Austria, Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS), the agenda includes, among other things, bilateral relations, economic and cultural cooperation and geopolitical challenges such as the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. The minister spoke positively about the development of bilateral relations and the talks that took place in April.

A particular focus is on deepening the partnership, as the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Austria and China will be celebrated next year. This is a reason to be happy, as cooperation has developed continuously since the first diplomatic contacts in 1971. China is now Austria's largest trading partner in Asia and plays a central role in the Austrian tourism sector. Wang Yi also brings experience from previous visits to Vienna, where he was there during talks on Iran's nuclear program between 2014 and 2018.

Vienna as an international hub

The city of Vienna has also established itself as an important international hub. Austria's commitment to a multilateral, rules-based international order supports Vienna's role as a headquarters for over 200 international corporations and as a base for numerous Chinese companies that manage their activities in Central and Eastern Europe. China's President Xi Jinping initiated the Silk Road Initiative in 2013, which has generated great interest in Austria and offers a wide range of opportunities for the domestic economy.

At a press conference during the third annual session of the 14th National People's Congress, Wang stressed that the past 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Europe have been characterized by mutual respect, benefit and multilateralism. These aspects are not only important for those directly affected, but also contribute to the stability and clarity of the global situation. Trade between China and Europe grew enormously during this period, rising from $2.4 billion to an impressive $780 billion. This shows the strategic importance of cooperation between the two regions.

Another look into the future

After his stay in Vienna, Wang Yi will continue his European tour in Slovenia and Poland. A press conference in Ljubljana with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon is scheduled for Saturday. The entertaining discussions that have taken place so far between Wang Yi and various European representatives are a sign of the continued deepening cooperation at the political level.

Austria and China are optimistic about the future of cooperation and see themselves as important partners outside of Europe. With a clear vision and strategic partnership, both parties could benefit from continued development.