Chinese FM hopes new Austrian government will continue friendly policy toward China

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday expressed hope that the new Austrian government will continue to pursue a friendly policy toward China, promote bilateral relations to jointly address current global challenges, and play a constructive role in international peace and development.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a phone conversation with Austria's Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger, at the latter's request.

Wang told Meinl-Reisinger that China stands ready to strengthen high-level exchanges with the European Union (EU) and take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations to jointly usher in another 50 years of successful cooperation with the EU, and urged Austria to be an active participant in this process.

Noting that the United States' unilateral imposition of tariffs has seriously undermined international economic and trade rules and order, Wang called on China and the EU, as two major economies and markets, to shoulder their international responsibilities.

Meinl-Reisinger highlighted the importance of China as a key partner for Austria in Asia and noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic relations.

She also said the EU looks forward to further strengthening economic and trade ties with China, and affirmed that the EU will stay united in defending its interests and upholding the multilateral trading system.

Chinese FM hopes new Austrian government will continue friendly policy toward China

Influenza activity in China has declined for four consecutive weeks, with recent tests showing common pathogens and no evidence of new infectious diseases, the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Tuesday.

At its first press briefing of 2026, the commission reported that flu activity nationwide remains moderate at the moment.

According to Xin Li, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, respiratory samples collected from sentinel hospitals indicated that the influenza virus was the most common pathogen, accounting for 27.4 percent of cases, followed by respiratory syncytial virus at 8.8 percent and rhinovirus at 5.7 percent.

"Influenza activity in China has declined for four consecutive weeks and remains at a moderate level overall. Analysis of nationwide fever clinic consultations, influenza-like illness cases at sentinel hospitals, and multi-pathogen testing shows that all detected pathogens are known common ones, with no evidence of unknown pathogens or new infectious diseases," Xin told the press.

Data from sentinel hospitals indicated flu activity was falling across provincial-level regions, while reports of school outbreaks dropped for five consecutive weeks. Laboratory tests showed that 97.3 percent of positive influenza samples were H3N2 subtype viruses.

China flu activity declines for fourth week, no new pathogens detected: official