As we mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, we also mark 70 years of China's diplomacy, which made important contributions to the country's development and national rejuvenation.

China has always pursued an independent foreign policy of peace and the path of peaceful development, while insisting that all countries, big or small, strong or weak, rich or poor, are on an equal footing. Adhering to this principle of peaceful coexistence earned China the respect, trust and support of many countries, which include Austria, among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic ties with the PRC.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties on May 28, 1971, bilateral ties have seen sound development.

In April 2018, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz led four federal ministers and a large delegation of nearly 300 people to visit China and attend the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference. This was unique in Austrian history and rare in Chinese diplomatic history. President Xi Jinping and President van der Bellen thus set the tone for the Sino-Austrian friendly strategic partnership.

In April this year, Chancellor Kurz paid an official visit to China and attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. In May, Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, paid an official visit to Austria. In June, Austrian Federal Council President Ingo Appe led a delegation of the Austria-China Friendship Association to China.

Such frequent high-level exchanges have strengthened bilateral cooperation. In the first nine months of this year, the total import and export volume of China and Austria reached $7.94 billion, up 8.8 percent year on year. The number and amount of projects invested by Austria in China increased by about 50 percent. From January to August, there were 695,250 Chinese tourist trips and 998,025 overnight visits, an increase of about 5 percent over the same period last year.

As an observer of the China-Central and Eastern Europe"17+1"cooperation mechanism, Austria supports and actively participates in the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. Austria and China have signed relevant cooperation documents regarding the Belt and Road Initiative and a Memorandum of Third-Party Market Cooperation. It is the common wish of Austrian companies and people to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The China Railway Express has opened between Chengdu and Vienna. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the world's largest commercial bank, has opened its headquarters in Vienna for Central and Eastern Europe business. China Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines have opened new direct flights to Vienna, and the number of direct flights between China and Austria has increased to four.

Sub-national cooperation, too, has blossomed. Scientific and technological cooperation in quantum communication and other fields has made remarkable achievements. The two countries' high-level music and art groups have conducted frequent exchanges and tours, which have become a bond to promote cultural cooperation and mutual understanding.

Amity between people is the key to sound official relations. From time immemorial, many people have been at the forefront, promoting the development of Sino-Austrian ties and enhancing friendship. They may be great or ordinary, old or young, but they are all ambassadors between China and Austria.

As a war doctor of China's New Fourth Army, "peace envoy" Jacob Rosenfeld saved thousands of lives of Chinese soldiers and civilians. According to former president Hu Jintao, Rosenfeld "devoted his most precious years to the liberation cause of the Chinese people".

"Friendship envoy" and former Austria President Heinz Fischer made his first visit to China in 1974 as a young member of parliament. As President, he made two official visits to China, his 11th visit came this month at the age of 81.

A 7-year-old "music envoy "played the violin used by Mozart as a child at the welcome dinner for President van der Bellen's visit to China.

"Grassroots messenger" Dominic, a young photographer, traveled across China, recording China's great rivers and mountains, rapid development and social conditions with his lens, letting more Austrians discover and understand the real China through his photographic works.

It is worth mentioning that there are also a group of panda "messengers". China's loan of two giant pandas to Austria and their five cubs have always been popular, making President van der Bellen call them the "second ambassador "sent by China to Austria.

These "envoys" are just a microcosm of the friendship China and Austria share. Together, they have laid a solid foundation for the future development of the countries.

The report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out that China's economy has shifted from a stage of high-speed growth to a stage of high-quality development. Austria is at the center of Europe, with a developed economy, advanced science and technology, beautiful environment and stable society. Austrian enterprises, with many of the "world's invisible champions", are representing high-quality development. There are many aspects for China to learn from. The two economies are highly complementary and enjoy broad space for cooperation in advanced manufacturing, energy conservation, environmental protection, ecological agriculture and winter sports.

The two countries will soon celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and are actively preparing for relevant exchanges and celebrations. Led by the two countries' leadership and with the support of people from all walks of life, Sino-Austrian relations will definitely rise to a new level and continue to write a new chapter of friendship.

The author is China's ambassador to Austria.

The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.

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