Wang Yi Meets with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg

On February 18, 2023 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg on the margins of the Munich Security Conference.

Wang Yi said that China-Austria relations have witnessed sound development, with new progresses of cooperation in various fields. China has overcome the impact of the pandemic and stands ready to work with Austria to strengthen exchanges at all levels and deepen mutual trust and friendship. Austria is expected to stay committed to the one-China principle. Today's world is undergoing complex changes, which tells people that in the face of global challenges, the world needs openness, connectivity and multilateralism, rather than seclusion, isolation and unilateralism. We hope Austria  supports openness and inclusiveness, to strengthen bilateral cooperation in economic and trade, and science and technology.

Schallenberg said that Austria and China have supported each other in their joint efforts to tackle the challenges brought by the pandemic. This fully attests to the importance of cooperation in coping with crises. Austria remains firmly committed to the one-China policy, which is one of Austria's diplomatic norms. Austria is ready to carry out cooperation with China with an open attitude, opposes decoupling and firmly supports globalization. Noting that China has important international influence, Schallenberg said Austria expects China to play a greater role on the Ukraine issue to ease and cool down the situation.

Wang Yi stressed that the Ukraine crisis should not be prolonged, and all relevant parties should give deep thought to how to achieve a ceasefire and end the conflict. China has been committed to promoting peace talks and will continue its constructive efforts.