Economic Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, State Secretary for Tourism Elisabeth Zehetner and Chamber of Commerce Vice President Philipp Gady today received the President of the Chinese Council to promote international trade (CCPIT), Ren Hongbin, for discussions in Vienna. The focus of the conversation in the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labor was the expansion of bilateral economic relationships and the strengthening of tourism between Austria and China in order to build on the successful years before the pandemic. Minister of Economic Affairs Hattmannsdorfer emphasizes: “Austria and China are strong business partners: With over 600 domestic companies in China and a trading volume of more than 15 billion euros, China is our fourth most important trading partner worldwide – and the most important thing in Asia. Especially in times when commercial barriers increase, we have to strengthen existing relationships and find political solutions at the negotiating table – trade wars do not use anyone. As an export nation, we have to create the best trading policy framework so that our companies can optimally take advantage of their opportunities. The Chinese market offers great potential, especially in automotive, green technologies, urbanization as well as agriculture and forestry. ”
Economic relationships with China are growing steadily and China is becoming increasingly important as a trading partner. Both the exports to China, with an increase of 4.5%, as well as imports from China, with an increase of 2.5% rose in 2024. China is one of the largest investors in Austria, especially in technology, industry and the automotive sector. “Networking with China opens up great opportunities, for example with sustainable innovations,” said Hattmannsdorfer. “In Chinese investment projects in Europe, it is particularly important to us that increased regional integration into the value chains is carried out – that is, that Austrian suppliers also benefit from orders. I also emphasized that in today’s conversation with the President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. ”
Zehetner advertises more Chinese guests in Austria
Tourism State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner promotes more Chinese guests in Austria: “Tourism not only combines our economic areas, but also our cultures and traditions. Austria and China in particular can look back on long, successful cooperation in this area. My goal is to inspire Chinese guests again in larger numbers for our country. ” While Austria recorded a record year with over 154 million guests, the number of Chinese travelers remains below the 2019 level. “Before the pandemic, we were allowed to count over a million Chinese guests and almost 1.5 million overnight stays. In 2024 there were around 384,000 guests and over 650,000 overnight stays – a clear upward trend, but not yet where we want to go. That is why we are increasingly relying on the expansion of our tourist relationships, ”said Zehetner. Austria’s cities are particularly popular, especially Vienna, which recorded almost 46 % of all over the overnight of Chinese guests.
In addition to the boosting the number of guests, Austria relies on in -depth cooperation with China in the field of tourism training and sustainable tourism development. “Tourism is more than an economic factor – it creates encounters, builds bridges between cultures and promotes mutual understanding. Austria and China have enormous potential here that we should continue to exploit together, ”said Zehetner.
Gady: Tourism as a growth engine and bridge between Austria and China
“Service exports are an essential mainstay of our export industry. Tourism plays a key role here because it strengthens the added value in the country. China, as the largest Asian market of origin, is of central importance for Austrian tourism. It is all the more gratifying that the flight connections between the two countries have been intensified again, so there is now also a daily flight connection between Beijing and Vienna in the current summer flight schedule. The close cooperation with our Chinese partners offers great potential to further deepen the economic exchange and promote sustainable growth for both sides, ”emphasizes Philipp Gady, Vice President of the Austria Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ).