2024.3.29.  |  |  |  |                  
"Austria will not only promote the relations between Austria and China, but also promote developing relations between all EU countries and China."
-- Interview with the Austrian Ambassador to China, H.E. Mrs. Irene Giner-Reichl
 
 
 
   The Austrian Ambassador to China, H.E. Mrs. Irene Giner-Reichl, started her diplomatic career in 1982, mainly working in the fields of economic trade and social development, environmental protection, energy development and other cooperative sectors. She also held the Chairman positions in a number of international organizations. She took office in January 2012 as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Austria in China and Mongolia. Recently, we had a special opportunity to have an exclusive interview with her in the Austrian Embassy.
   "Good afternoon, Ambassador Irene! Thank you very much for accepting our interview. Since China and Austria established the diplomatic relationships, the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have been continuously developed with the direct care and guidance of the leaders of the two countries. As the Ambassador to China, you have made great contributions on promoting the bilateral relationship between China and Austria. You left great impressions of an excellent diplomat to Chinese people through your dedication, passion and unlimited energy. As the Austrian Ambassador to China, How will you promote further the friendly relationship between China and Austria?"
   "Thank you! Austria and China have been developing and maintaining very good relationship for long time. The high-level visits between the two countries have laid a good foundation for the bilateral relations. President Xi Jinping led the Chinese delegation to visit Austria in 2011, and Austrian President will come to China for a high-level state visit. Also in last November, Austrian President, Austrian ministers and 150 business delegation members visited China to explore great opportunities here. Both countries now enjoy a very closer partnership with each other. Austria is also a well-known member of the EU; therefore, we will not only promote relations between Austria and China, but also promote the healthy relationship between China and the EU countries. In the next few days, our President will pay a state visit to China. As the ambassador, many things need to be prepared on my side, especially the annual official meeting. The most important goal is to further strengthen the exchanges and cooperation between Austrian and Chinese cities!"
   The journalist asked: "In the recent years, China and Austria enjoyed rapid growth in bilateral cooperation and trading. According to Chinese official numbers, in the first half of 2014, China and Austria's trading volume reached USD 3.96 billion level, increased by 22.3%. This increase is almost doubled, compared to China and other EU countries. Currently, what are the main sectors China and Austria are actively cooperating in? What are the competitive advantages Austrian government will offer to Chinese companies or entrepreneurs who are choosing and making investment with Austria?"
   "Austria has advanced technology and experiences in water conservancy, urban management, modernizing infrastructure. We all know that Austria is also famous for music. Austria has many high-tech companies with strong technical background in various fields. Austria is an export-oriented country. At least 6 Euros of every 10 Euros in Austria's economic output is made through exports. President Xi Jinping recently proposed "One Belt and One Road Initiatives" concept. Because of this great opportunity, Austria can share its advanced technology in the infrastructure construction and other sectors with China so that Chinese companies have more access to the EU market, we will contribute more efforts to make sure this model become real in the near future. Additionally, Austria is ranked very high for environment protection technology. The government makes and promotes green concept policies, and many Chinese companies are willing to learn more for those innovative methods. Air, water and land in Austria are so pure that people can enjoy those natural resources every day. We want to share our experience with China for environment protection and sustainable development. Austrian government will make more and more convenient policies to Chinese enterprises to discover the opportunities and potentials between China and Austria as well as the European markets."
   "When talking about Austria, we always think about the great Alps Mountain, the beautiful Danube River and the famous musician cities Vienna and Salzburg. In Chinese people's view, 'Music is the best symbol of Austria'. Do you agree this opinion? Could you please introduce about Austrian unique culture?"
   "Famous music capital - the Vienna Musikverein is the place many people want to go for music. Austria will hold a grand art exhibition in China featuring the works of famous Austrian painters. On the first day of each year, the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the New Year Concert for the people around the world. Then many festivals will be on throughout Austria. Dance, music, opera and other forms of art festivals reinforce the image of Austria as the Capital of Music. Meanwhile, Austria, particularly in Vienna, also offers plenty of opportunities for music lovers and young students to learn about music and exchange with each other, you can also learn to waltz in Vienna ......"
   Austrian President Heinz Fischer paid a state visit to China and met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The president also attended the China and Austria International Forum to communicate and interact with other countries' leaders and representatives. During his visit, more than 20 cooperation agreements were signed between China and Austria, including business collaboration and higher education exchanges. As the Ambassador of Austria to China, Mrs. Irene will continue promoting healthy and stable relationship development between China and Austria with full confidence.
   We wish Ambassador Irene a happy life and successful career in China!