Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong said Friday that China is ready to work with Austria to further expand Sino-Austrian and Sino-EU relations.

Zeng made the remark when meeting with Andreas Khol, president of the National Council of Austria, in Beijing Friday.

Zeng said Sino-Austrian relations are currently have good momentum as the exchanges between the governments and legislatures of the two countries have kept growing.

Zeng said the two countries have continuously deepened mutual understanding and trust and carried out good dialogues on issues of each other's concern.

Noting that trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has been growing smoothly, Zeng said bilateral exchanges and cooperation in a wide range of fields, such as culture, education, science, technology, tourism and personnel training, are also fruitful.

Zeng said China has always attached importance to developing relations with Austria and on the role that Austria plays in European and international affairs.

He expressed the willingness to further advance Sino-Austrian and Sino-EU relations.

Khol is heading a high-caliber delegation of Austrian parliamentarians from various political parties and groups to China. Khol and his delegation arrived in Beijing on Oct. 27 at the invitation of Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China.

Khol said the aim of his visit is to further enhance friendly relations between Austria and China. He conveyed the greetings from Austrian Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel to Zeng.

Khol said the development of Austria-China relations is important for both countries. He expressed the wish that as the two countries celebrate the 35th anniversary of establishing diplomatic links next year, when Austria will chair the European Union in rotation, the two sides will make joint efforts to advance Austria-China and EU-China relations.

(Xinhua News Agency October 29, 2005)