China's Diplomatic Agenda

Chinese leaders are to participate in a series of multilateral summits during this year to help forge a "global partnership for development," said Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

"Summit diplomacy will continue to be a highlight of China's diplomacy this year," Yang said in an interview on January 22. For example, Chinese leaders will attend two summits of the Group of 20 major economies to be held in Canada in June and in South Korea in November.

Through attending the summits, Yang said, China hopes to work together with other countries to cope with the economic, financial and development challenges confronting the world at large while helping promote multilateralism.

Another focus for the Chinese diplomats in 2010 will be the Shanghai World Expo, Yang said. To date, 192 countries and 50 international organizations have signed up for the Shanghai World Expo, a six-month gala starting on May 1.

China and Austria

China has vowed to strengthen its ties with Austria by encouraging partnerships between two countries' small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and increasing mutual investment.

Chinese President Hu Jintao made a number of proposals to visiting Austrian President Heinz Fischer during a meeting on January 20.

The two countries should make SME collaboration a "new bright spot" in their bilateral relations, Hu said. Both sides should revise investment protection agreements to expand investment in each other's countries, while standing against trade and investment protectionism.

China is Austria's biggest trade partner in Asia, with two-way trade amounting to $4.33 billion from January to November 2009. Austria is one of China's major technology providers in Europe. By September 2009, China had signed more than $4 billion in technology transfer contracts with Austria.

Hu also said China and Austria should work more closely in fields such as culture, education and tourism. China was also ready to engage Austria within the China-EU and Asia-Europe cooperative frameworks, he said.