China's Guangxi and Austrian Burgenland deepen multi-field practical cooperation

The China (Guangxi)-Austria (Burgenland) Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference was held online on the 26th, aiming to deepen the pragmatic cooperation aspects of machinery manufacturing, new materials, LED lighting manufacturing, software development, electronic information, deep processing of agricultural products, tourism, etc.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria. The fair was co-sponsored by Guangxi Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Guangxi Investment Promotion Bureau, and Austrian-China Business Association. Guangxi has been in close contact with Austria in recent years. A local economic and trade delegation visited Austria in 2019 and signed a number of cooperation agreements with Austrian companies.

Changguan Li, chairman of the Guangxi Council for the Promotion of International Trade, introduced at the Nanning offline venue that day. Located at the junction of South China, Southwest Economic Circle and ASEAN Economic Circle, Guangxi has become one of China's most dynamic and potential regions. Guangxi is willing to take this fair as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with Austria in international connectivity, and welcome related Austrian enterprises to participate in the construction of new western land-sea channel infrastructure, trade and logistics and other cooperation, and jointly open up markets along the route.

Changguan Li said that Austria has a strong industrial foundation and Burgenland has outstanding advantages in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, environmental protection and governance. Guangxi is focusing on the research and development of high-performance special steel and new stainless materials, and is striving to build a full industrial chain such as ecological aluminum, high-end aluminum equipment manufacturing. It is hoped that Austria will give full play to its industrial advantages, strengthen its industrial docking with Guangxi, and jointly create a model of win-win cooperation between China and Europe.

Harald Zagicik, Director of the Burgenland Department of Commerce, introduced that Burgenland’s ecological agriculture and wine industry are well-known in Europe, and it is also a tourist attraction with a long history and culture. The two sides also have great potential for cooperation in the cultural and tourism industry.

Meng Fanzhuang, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Austria, said that half a century since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria, the bilateral trade volume has increased by more than 400 times, and China has become Austria's fourth largest trading partner in Asia. The embassy will actively coordinate and serve Guangxi and Burgenland on the existing basis to continuously deepen and expand practical cooperation.

At the fair, five Chinese companies including Guangxi Liuzhou Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd., Guangxi Tourism Development Group Co., Ltd., SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co., Ltd., and Austrian companies including Austrian components, CNC lathes and seals, LED lighting manufacturers, etc. promote industrial layout and project advantages. About 100 companies from China and Austria participated in online interaction and trade docking.