Austria – China 55 | 60 Experience, Engagement, Future

• Austria–China economic relations are built on a strong and resilient foundation, with decades of institutional and business cooperation.

• China remains one of the world’s most dynamic and strategically important markets, offering significant opportunities for Austrian companies.

• Successful market entry and growth depend on long-term commitment, local presence and cultural understanding.

• Platforms such as CIIE and international supply chain initiatives play an increasingly important role in facilitating market access and partnerships.

• Bilateral investment flows are intensifying, with Austrian firms expanding in China and Chinese companies using Austria as a European hub.

• China’s role as a global innovation leader requires companies to adapt continuously and position themselves within highly competitive, fast-evolving ecosystems.

Overall, the anniversary event made clear that while the framework conditions are changing, the fundamentals remain strong: enduring partnerships, mutual trust and a shared interest in continued economic cooperation. The next phase will be defined by agility, innovation and sustained engagement on both sides.

Austria – China 55 | 60 Experience, Engagement, Future

A key focus of the event was market access and international platforms. The China International Import Expo (CIIE) was highlighted as a major gateway to the Chinese market, bringing together tens of thousands of companies from over 180 countries. Austrian firms such as Zotter, BWT, AVL and Swarovski were cited as successful participants. In addition, the China International Supply Chain Expo, presented by CCPIT, was introduced as a further platform strengthening Austria–China cooperation.

Concrete market entry strategies were illustrated through established cooperation zones.

The China–Austria Su Tong Eco-Park near Nantong was showcased as a successful model for industrial cooperation, enabling Austrian companies to invest, expand local production and build trusted partnerships. Similarly, the Taicang High-Tech Zone highlighted how China increasingly favours companies that combine long-term commitment with strong local integration, skilled teams and structured market approaches.

The role of bilateral business ecosystems was another central theme. The Association of Chinese Enterprises in Austria (VCUOE) demonstrated how Chinese companies are using Austria as a base for their European operations. Examples included the Bank of China, which has been supporting Austrian corporates in their China business since opening its Vienna branch in 2016; Air China, which has significantly expanded direct connectivity between Vienna and Beijing; and XPeng, which is advancing its European strategy through R&D and industrial partnerships, including cooperation with Magna.

Austria’s attractiveness as a business location was underlined through industrial success stories and investment dynamics. FACC highlighted substantial investments in market development, innovation and site expansion since the entry of a Chinese majority shareholder, while the Austrian Business Agency (ABA) pointed to Austria’s strengths in skilled labour, research capacity and stable framework conditions as key factors for inbound investment.

Innovation and start-up cooperation also featured prominently: The Global Incubator Network (GIN) was presented as a vital bridge between Austria and Asia, having supported hundreds of start-ups through programmes such as GO ASIA and GO AUSTRIA, including dedicated activities in China. Practical insights from companies like VELLO Bike and Sinntelligence illustrated how Austrian start-ups can successfully enter and scale in the Chinese market.

In their remarks, Wolfgang Hesoun, Vice President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Fanzhuang Meng, Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and Severin Gruber, Secretary General at the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism underscored the significance of the double anniversary and the partnership that has evolved over more than six decades.

They emphasised the importance of stable, long-standing relationships in an increasingly complex global environment, reaffirmed the shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation, and highlighted dedicated support instruments for businesses—most notably the go-international initiative, which has assisted more than 4,000 participants in China over the past 20 years.

The recently arrived giant panda pair at Schönbrunn Zoo was also referenced as a visible symbol of the enduring friendship and close ties between Austria and China.

The figures underscore the importance of this partnership: China is now Austria’s third-largest trading partner worldwide, with bilateral trade having increased more than 400-fold since 1971. More than 650 Austrian companies are engaged in over 1,500 cooperation projects in China, while around 50 Chinese companies are active in Austria—from electric vehicle production in Styria and Upper Austria to double-decker trains operating between Vienna and Salzburg.