Austria and China celebrate in the year 2026 55 years of diplomatic relations and 60 years of official Austrian business representation in Beijing. To mark this important milestone, the Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, paid an official visit to China from 22 to 25 June 2026, with stops in Shanghai and Beijing. During her visit, she held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other senior representatives, reaffirming the importance of continued political and economic dialogue between the two countries.
The Minister was accompanied by a business delegation of 11 Austrian companies, led by Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) Vice President Carmen Goby. Especially in times of global uncertainty, high-level dialogue and exchange are more important than ever.
A particular highlight of the visit was Austria’s first-ever participation as an exhibitor at the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing. Eight Austrian companies took part in the Austrian joint pavilion organized by ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Beijing, showcasing innovative solutions in advanced manufacturing, logistics, clean technologies, precision engineering, and investment promotion. Austria’s presence at CISCE reflected the importance of well-functioning global supply chains for the Austrian economy. Many Austrian companies and hidden champions are international suppliers themselves and play an integral role in global value chains. China is also Austria’s second-most important sourcing market worldwide, underlining the close economic interdependence between the two countries.
For the Austrian economy, China is the third-most important trading partner worldwide, the second-largest source of imports, and the tenth-most important export market. Around 650 Austrian companies have established more than 900 subsidiaries in China. The majority of Austria’s industrial companies, as well as many globally active niche providers, are already represented in the market.
Over the decades, Austrian companies have made a significant contribution to the modernization of China’s manufacturing sector and the development of infrastructure solutions. At the same time, Austria serves as an important hub for Chinese business activities in Central and Eastern Europe.
Meeting with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT)
(From left to right: Ambassador Wolf-Dietrich Heim; WKO Vice President Carmen Goby; Federal Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger; CCPIT Chairman Ren Hongbin, CCPIT Vice Chairwoman Lin Honghong; representative of China International Exhibition Center Group Limited.) CCPIT has been the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber's (WKO) closest partner organization in China. The two organizations have maintained various partnership agreements since 1964.
