China, Austria to strengthen ties

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Play VideoChina´s top legislator Wu Bangguo visits Austria

Chinese top legislator, Wu Bangguo, has met with Austrian officials in Vienna. Both sides agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the fight against the ongoing world financial crisis.

On Saturday, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, Wu Bangguo, met with President of the Austrian National Council, Barbara Prammer.

Wu said the parliaments of the two countries should strengthen friendly relations by carrying out exchanges at all levels and in all forms. He welcomed more and more Austrian members of parliament to visit China.

The top Chinese lawmaker suggested that the two countries should further expand trade, investment and economic cooperation by utilizing their specific advantages.

He also suggested that the two sides should enhance cooperation in areas such as culture, tourism, and education, as well as international affairs.

In response, Prammer said Austria's relations with China occupy a very important position within its foreign policy.

She said Austria is ready to expand the flow of people traveling between the two countries so as to enhance mutual understanding and trust.

The Chinese top legislator also met with Austrian Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance, Josef Proll.

Wu said that the two economies are highly complementary. China has a huge market and Austria has advanced technologies in many fields.

Wu said both sides should encourage their companies to seek new cooperative opportunities brought about by the governments' economic stimulus measures.

He noted that the Chinese government's policy package to counter the impact of the financial crisis has achieved initial results.

Proll said the financial crisis has had a serious impact on the Austrian economy.

He said Austria will actively transfer advanced technology to China in a bid to expand cooperative areas and carry out large-scale projects.

Wu Bangguo is in Vienna for an official goodwill visit. He is the first NPC chairman to visit the country in 15 years.