With the melodious violin sonata of Mozart, the opening ceremony of Austrian Consulate General in Chengdu was held on April 11. Austria’s President Van Der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz who were visiting Sichuan for the first time, jointly cut the ribbon for the Consulate General.

　　This is the third consular institution established by Austria in China’s Mainland after those in Shanghai and Guangzhou. Its consular region includes Sichuan Province, Guizhou Province, Yunnan Province, and Chongqing City. Up to now, a total of 17 consular institutions have been approved to be established in Sichuan, the largest number in the central and western China.

　　Located in the center of Europe, Austria is a transportation hub of Europe and “the hometown of music” in the world. In recent years, Austria and Sichuan have conducted extensive and in-depth exchanges and cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, education, and humanities, yielding remarkable results.

　　In 2017, Austria established 9 new companies in Sichuan. The total import and export volume of Sichuan and Austria’s goods trade reached 63.42 million dollars. Chengdu City and Linz City became the official friendship cities in 1983; Chengdu and Vienna established a friendly and cooperative relationship in 2016.

　　At the opening ceremony, President Van Der Bellen said that he was surprised and proud of the rapid development of China during the past 40 years since the reform and opening up and the establishment of the Consulate General will make greater contributions to the friendly exchanges between Austria and Sichuan and China. Chancellor Kurz said that he hopes the Austrian Consulate General in Chengdu can further promote exchanges and cooperation between Austria and Sichuan and China in the areas of economy, culture, science and technology.

　　Dr. Kneissl, Foreign Minister of Austria, Dr. Christoph Leitl, Chairman of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Dr. Stift, Austrian Ambassador to China, Mr. Li Xiaosi, Chinese Ambassador to Austria, Mr. Zhu Hexin, Vice Governor of Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, as well as other representatives from both sides jointly cut the ribbon for the Consulate General.

　　On the same day, the Commercial Office of the Austrian Consulate General in Chengdu was also officially opened. At the scene, a souvenir envelope of the Austrian President and Chancellor’s visit to China was also issued.