Austria is willing to work with China to jointly safeguard multilateralism and promote world peace and development, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said on Friday.
Van der Bellen made the remarks when meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Asking Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, and recalling with pleasure his state visit to China in 2018, Van der Bellen said that China is Austria's important cooperation partner in Asia and ties between the two countries have maintained sound development.
Austria firmly adheres to the one-China policy and will not waver under any circumstances, the president stressed.
Noting that next year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he said Austria is willing to celebrate the occasion together with China and deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, investment, green development, and tourism and culture.
Meanwhile, Van der Bellen praised China's commitment to its promises and achievements in addressing climate change and advancing green development, saying that Austria is willing to work with China to jointly safeguard multilateralism and promote world peace and development.
For his part, Wang conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings, noting that the two heads of state jointly established the China-Austria friendly strategic partnership during Van der Bellen's visit to China in 2018, opening a new stage for the bilateral relations.
Practical cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges have been increasingly deepened, Wang said.
The Chinese foreign minister stressed that both sides should build on these achievements and take the upcoming 55th anniversary as an opportunity to expand cooperation in such areas as green economy and add new dimensions and vitality to the China-Austria friendly strategic partnership.
Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II, as well as the founding of the United Nations, Wang said human development is at a historical juncture.
To remember history, honor the martyrs, cherish peace and create a better future, China has held grand commemorations, which, first of all, sought to enhance the correct historical view of World War II, Wang said.
As the main battlefield in the East of World War II, China has made tremendous national sacrifices and significant historic contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, he added.
The commemorations also sought to safeguard the outcome of the victory in World War II, Wang said, noting that Taiwan's return to China is an important part of the outcomes of the victory in World War II and any attempt to split the country is doomed to fail.
He added that the events were also aimed at joining hands with other nations to build a community with a shared future for humanity and to work together for world peace and development. China, Wang emphasized, is willing to strengthen multilateral collaboration with Austria and make new contributions to this goal.
Austria is the first leg of Wang's three-nation tour from Sept. 12 to 16, which will also see him pay visits to Slovenia and Poland.
Austrian president says to work with China to uphold multilateralism, promote peace, development
Austrian president says to work with China to uphold multilateralism, promote peace, development
