China urges Austria to enhance EU ties, emphasizing partnership over rivalry during a key meeting between foreign ministers in Beijing.
China has urged Austria to respect each other's core interests and play a constructive role in improving China-EU ties, reports Reuters.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Beijing that China and Europe should be partners, not rivals. The Austrian foreign minister is on a five-day visit, her third meeting with Wang in a year, as Beijing seeks direct channels with European capitals amid strained relations with Brussels.
EU officials last week stated that views were converging among the bloc's 27 members on curbing the widening trade deficit with China and reducing reliance on Beijing for rare earths and other critical supplies. China's goods trade surplus with the EU reached EUR360.6 billion (US$410.29 billion) in 2025, up 15 percent from 2024.
France has favored a firmer approach, while Germany and Spain have taken a more cautious stance. Austria also appears cautious, with Chinese automakers such as Xpeng looking to Austrian contract manufacturers as a European foothold. Around 650 Austrian firms operate in China.
Ms. Meinl-Reisinger stated that Austria's policy is consistent, pragmatic, and European, aiming to strengthen sovereignty, reduce dependencies, and maintain stable trade relations. Mr. Wang expressed that Beijing appreciates Austria's rational stance and hopes it will continue to support the development of China-Europe relations.
