Top Chinese legislator: Exchanges between localities important to Sino-Austria ties

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SALZBURG, Austria, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo said here Sunday that exchanges between local regions of China and Austria constitute an important part of bilateral relations.

Wu made the remarks when meeting with Simon Illmer, president of the parliament of the Salzburg Province of Austria.

Wu, who is the first chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) to visit Austria since 1994, arrived in Salzburg from Vienna on Sunday morning, continuing his official goodwill visit to the country.

Wu said Salzburg has attracted more and more Chinese tourists with its many cultural relics and beautiful natural scenes. He said China treasures its friendly cooperation with Salzburg, hoping that both sides should create a new mode for and further substantiate their cooperation.

Noting China is an important trade partner of Salzburg, Illmer said he believed Wu's visit will promote cooperation in such fields as investment, environmental protection and tourism.

More than 50 Salzburg companies have invested in China, notably among them is Porsche AG. Salzburg has set up a Chinese Affair Office while forging friendly relations with Hainan Province, Shanghai City and Heilongjiang Province in China.

Wu said Salzburg plays an important and unique role in China-Austria relations.

Before flying to Salzburg, Wu met with Harald Reisenberger, president of the Austrian Federal Council, in Vienna on Saturday. During the meeting, Wu said that both sides should treasure the current momentum of sound development in bilateral links.