Chinese Minister Ends Austria Visit After Signing Co-op Pacts

Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming on Thursday concluded a trade and investment trip to Austria during which the two countries signed 17 cooperation agreements valued at more than 900 million U.S. dollars.

Chen, who led a Chinese trade and investment promotion delegation, met on Wednesday afternoon with President Heinz Fischer.

Fischer warmly welcomed Chen and the Chinese delegation. He said Austria was China's trustworthy political and economic partner and their mutually beneficial cooperation had a broad prospect.

Chen said his visit was aimed at helping to implement the consensus reached by Fischer and China's President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao earlier in the year, and to fulfill the commitments made by China.

The minister also expressed hope that the visit would be a platform for additonal business opportunities for Austria and China.

He said economic and trade cooperation between the two countries in traditional fields has become more and more mature and future cooperation should focus on cultivating other growth points, such as a green economy.

On Wednesday morning, Chen attended an economy and trade forum that was held by the Austrian Economy Ministry and attended by about 120 entrepreneurs from 80 Chinese companies and some 80 representatives of Austrian companies and institutions.

During his visit, Chen also held talks with Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner, Christoph Leitl, president of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, and other high-ranking officials.