国内英语新闻:Chinese president presents proposal to enhance ties with Austria

VIENNA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer here Monday and laid out a multi-point proposal to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, Hu spoke highly of the ties between the two countries, saying that China values its relations with Austria and is willing to join hands with Austria to elevate bilateral ties to a higher level.

Then he proposed that the two sides enhance their political relationship based on equality and mutual trust, continue with their frequent high-level contacts and steer bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.

The two countries should also expand their mutually beneficial economic and trade relations, he said, while calling for concerted efforts to fight trade protectionism and encourage mutual investment so as to achieve a balanced, diversified and sustainable trade relationship.

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer (R) in Vienna, Austria, Oct. 31, 2011. Hu Jintao held talks with Heinz Fischer in Vienna Monday.

China is willing to import more goods from Austria and to work with Austria to seek cooperation with third countries in Central and Eastern Europe, said the Chinese president, who also asked Austria to create favorable conditions for Chinese investors in Austria.

Meanwhile, Hu urged Vienna to play a more active role in pushing for the EU's recognition of China's full market economy status and for a lift of the bloc's restrictions on high-tech exports to China.

In the culture sphere, the two sides should promote people-to-people exchanges and boost cooperation in culture, eduction and media among others, Hu said.

In addition, the two countries should also deepen cooperation in multilateral mechanisms to jointly push for a more just and fairer international political and economic order, Hu said.

China, he added, is willing to enhance cooperation and coordination with Austria on important issues such as global economic governance, climate change, energy security and peaceful settlement of international disputes.

History has proven that as long as the two sides understand and support each other, and respect each other's social systems and development models, the bilateral relationship can achieve long-term, steady and healthy development, Hu said.

Fischer, for his part, said that he fully agrees with Hu's proposal, adding that his country is willing to enhance cooperation with China in culture, science and technology and tourism and expand coordination in the United Nations and other multilateral frameworks.