Austria is a member state of the European Union. With Sino-European relations progressing smoothly in recent years, ties between China and Austria is entering a new period. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President of Austria Dr. Thomas Klestil will pay an official visit to China during May 15-19 at the invitation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin. This is a new opportunity to further develop relations between the two countries.
China and Austria formally established diplomatic relations on May 28, 1971. In September the same year, the two countries successively appointed ambassadors to each other. In October 1972, the two countries signed the Agreement on Trade and Payment, upgrading the already existing non-governmental trade ties to governmental ones. Since then, the economic and trade relations between the two countries have continued to enjoy further development. In April 1974, Austrian Foreign Minister Kirchschlaeger led a delegation to China, the most important Austrian delegation to visit China in the initial stage since the establishment of diplomatic ties.
In the 1980s, China stepped up cooperation with west European countries including Austria and made it part and parcel of China's diplomatic policy. This has injected new vitality to the development of Sino-Austrian relations. The exchanges between the two countries in all fields began to gather momentum and new fields for cooperation have also been explored. The two countries signed some important agreements on scientific cooperation and investment protection. In April 1984, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian visited Austria, the first of its kind ever by a Chinese Foreign Minister since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. In September 1985, Austrian President Kirchschlaeger visited China, the first visit ever in history by an Austrian President to China.
Austria is one of those countries that firstly resume relations with China after the political disturbances in Beijing in 1989. In the 1990s, cooperation between the two countries in all fields has developed very rapidly. In October 1991, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen paid an official visit to Austria. President Fischer of the National Council of Austria visited China in January 1992. In April 1993, Mr.Vranitzky became the first Austrian Federal Chancellor to visit China in the history of bilateral relations. In June of 1994, Premier Li Peng of the State Council paid a visit to Austria.
Bilateral relations between China and EU witnessed a rapid development since mid-1990s. In July 1995, EU commission published a report on long-term relations between China and EU, pointing out “to developing relations with China is a priority of foreign policies of EU member states.” In 1998, the EU and its member states adopted a series of positive measures to promote Sin-European relations. The EU commission issued a new China policy guideline, advocating further upgrading the level of Sino-European ties and raising a series of proposals on strengthening bilateral relations. Abandoning its old policies of many years, the EU decided not to put forward motions against China at the United Nations conference on human rights.
In such a context, bilateral relations between China and Austria are entering a new period of comprehensive development. In September 1995, Austrian President Klestil visited China for the first time. In September 1996, Chairman Li Ruihuan of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference visited Austria. In October the same year, Austrian Chancellor Vranitzky visited China. In March 1997, President Fischer of the National Council of Austria visited China for the second time. In March 1998, Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Schuessel visited China. In March 1999, President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Austria. This is the first visit to Austria by a Chinese head of state, which has pushed the bilateral relations to a new height.
Economic and Trade Relations witnessed a rapid development, too. In September 1996, the two governments signed a new Agreement on Cooperation in Economy, Industry, Technology, Arts and Crafts. The bilateral trade volume in 2000 totaled US$780 million, with an increase of 14% compared with the previous year. The major exports to Austria by China are, among others, textile, clothes, foodstuff, edible oil and grains, livestock, arts and crafts and nonferrous metal. The major imports from Austria include equipment, technology, machinery, mineral products, chemicals and light-industry products. China and Austria have conducted multi-facet cooperation in water and electricity, railway, metallurgy, machinery-building, environmental protection, road construction, the manufacturing of special vehicles and so on.
Exchanges and cooperation in cultural, scientific and technological fields have developed dynamically. There are frequent exchanges of visits between the cultural delegations of the two countries. China's Tibetan Song and Dance Troupe visited Austria for four times. Beijing opera and acrobatics troupes held performances in Austria on many occasions. In 1998 and 1999, the Chinese Central Nationality's Philharmonic Society and the Chinese Symphony Orchestra went to Austria and performed with great success. From 1996 to 1998, the Vienna Philharmonic Society, the Vienna National Opera House and the masterpieces of Weiler, a renowned artist, were in China to take part in the activities hosted by China to mark the International Year of Music, the Year of Opera and Dance Drama and the Year of Art respectively. They were all very well received by the Chinese audience.
The cooperation in education and military fields has also developed very well. Fourteen Chinese universities including Peking University have established inter-collegiate cooperative relations with their Austrian counterparts. The mutual exchange of scholars and language teachers has been institutionalized.
In May 1997, the Austrian Defense Minister Fasslabend visited China, the first of its kind by an Austrian Defense Minister to visit China since the two countries established diplomatic relations. In May 1998, Member of the Central Military Commission and the Chief of the General Staff General Fu Quanyou visited Austria.
Relations between China and Austria are now coming across a new opportunity. Firstly, there is no conflict of interests between the two countries. Both sides advocate multi-polarization in world affairs. Austria support EU to develop strategic partnership relations with China. Secondly, Austria is playing an important role in EU. China will attach more importance to cooperation with the country.
Thirdly, Austrian government advocates dialogue instead of confrontation on human rights in China, laying solid foundation for bilateral political cooperation.
The future trade cooperation between the two countries has great potential. President Klestil emphasized in many occasions that China’s enormous market has great attraction to Austria. Economic interest is the main motive of Austria to develop relations with China. Austria is a firm supporter on China’s WTO accession. After China enters WTO, it is believed that there are broad prospects for further economic cooperation between the two countries.
(The author is a researcher of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations)
（www.ccgp-fushun.com 05/14/2001）
