In 2010, the relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Austria enjoyed sound development.

The two sides held frequent high-level exchanges. From 17 to 21 June, Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang paid an official visit to Austria, during which he had talks with Josef Proll, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance of Austria. Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang hailed the sound development of bilateral ties, the frequent high-level exchanges, the enhanced political mutual trust and the ever deepening economic cooperation. He said that further development of China-Austria mutually beneficial cooperation is in the interest of the two countries. Vice Chancellor Josef Proll stated that the world appreciates the achievements China has made, and the Austrian government wishes to deepen ties with China. When meeting with Vice Premier Zhang, Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer lauded the favorable development of Austria-China relations. He said Austria was actively preparing for the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and he also expressed the willingness to intensify cooperation with China in areas where the Austrian side has advantages, such as new energy, environmental protection and ecology. Vice Premier Zhang also visited the State of Salzburg, and met with State President Gabi Burgstaller. During the visit, relevant departments of both sides signed three cooperative documents in the areas of transportation, economy and trade, and pure-electric automobile. From 25 to 27 July, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi paid an official visit to Austria. He met with Austrian Federal President Fischer and Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann, held talks with Michael Spindelegger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs. He also met State President of Salzburg Burgstaller and exchanged views on further developing the bilateral relations.

From 19 to 22 January, Austrian Federal President Fischer paid a state visit to China. President Hu Jintao met with him and hosted a welcoming banquet. During their talks, President Hu Jintao said the bilateral relations had been deepening and developing day by day since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Austria 40 years ago. China appreciates the Austrian government's adherence to the one China Policy, and wishes to work with the Austrian side to bring the bilateral relations to a higher level on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. President Fischer said the relationship between the two countries has been developing smoothly since the establishment of diplomatic ties, and China has become an important dialogue and cooperation partner of Austria. He said Austria valued China's development and would be actively committed to further enhancement of the friendly cooperative relationship with China. The two presidents attended the signing ceremony of five cooperative documents between relevant departments in the areas of health, quality control, science and technology, personnel training and Chinese language teaching. NPC Chairman Wu Bangguo met with President Fischer. Premier Wen Jiabao met with President Fischer and held a banquet in honor of the President and his wife. President Fischer also visited Shanghai where he met with Mayor of Shanghai Han Zheng and attended a welcoming banquet. President Fischer attended and addressed the opening ceremonies of China-Austria Economic Forum held in Beijing and Shanghai respectively. He also paid a visit to the site of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai which was under construction, and he unveiled the Austrian National Pavilion. From 20 to 22 May, Austrian Federal Chancellor Faymann attended the National Day of the Austrian Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai. Mayor of Shanghai Han Zheng met with Chancellor Faymann, held a banquet in honor of him, and accompanied him to the Expo events. From 30 April to 1 May, Austrian Federal Minister of Economy, Family and Youth Reinhold Mitterlehner attended the opening ceremony of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai, and hosted the inauguration ceremony of the Austrian Pavilion.

The bilateral trade grew rapidly, and China has become Austria's largest trading partner outside the European Union. From 18 to 20 May, Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming led a Chinese trade and investment promotion delegation to Austria. He met with Austrian Federal President Fischer, Federal Minister of Economy, Family and Youth Mitterlehner and President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Christoph Leitl, and attended the China-Austria Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum held in Vienna.

Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such areas as culture and education continued to develop. On 2 October, Austrian Federal President Fischer visited the Chinese School Vienna, the first time for a head of state of Austria to visit a Chinese language school. President Fischer called language a "key" to understand a country and its society, and he hoped that the Austria-China relations could continue to be enhanced along with the popularization of language. On 29 October, the Confucius Institute at the University of Graz, which was established in collaboration with Jiangsu University of China, was formally set up, and became the second of its kind in Austria. On 20 November, President Fischer visited the Chinese Section of the International Book Fair in Vienna and said that the Austria-China relations are developing well, and that there would be great potentials for the two sides to further deepen their exchanges and cooperation in such areas as culture and publication. On 12 March, the 9th meeting of the joint commission to implement the agreement between the governments of Austria and China on science and technical cooperation was held in Vienna. From 6 to 10 October, CPPCC Vice Chairman and Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang visited Austria and met with Austrian Federal Minister of Science and Research Beatrix Karl and Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology Doris Bures. Both sides exchanged views on further strengthening bilateral cooperation in science and technology. From 11 to 15 October, the "Austria Tech-Week China" was held in the Austrian Pavilion during the World Expo Shanghai. From 5 to 7 May, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Nikolaus Berlakovich visited China and paid a trip to the Shanghai Expo Park. He exchanged views with relevant departments in China on enhancing cooperation. On 21 January, Chinese Health Minister Chen Zhu met with Austrian Federal Minister of Health Alois Stoger as he accompanied Federal President Fischer to visit China. Both sides exchanged views on promoting cooperation in the reform of the medical and health system, hospital management and traditional Chinese medicine. On 21 January, General Liang Guanglie, Defense Minister, Member of China's Central Military Commission and State Councilor, met with Norbert Darabos, Austrian Federal Minister of Defense and Sport. Both sides reached consensus on further deepening bilateral military cooperation. From 6 to 10 December, Chief of the General Staff of Austria General Edmund Entacher visited China, and met with General Liang Guanglie as well as General Chen Bingde, Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China and Member of the Central Military Commission.

Documents signed by the two sides include: the Work Plan for Cooperation in the Field of Health between the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China and the Federal Ministry of Health of the Republic of Austria for 2010-2014; the Protocol Between the Federal Ministry of Health of the Republic of Austria and the State General Administration for Quality Control, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China over Quarantine and Health Requirements for Bovine Genetic Material Exported from Austria to the People's Republic of China; the Cooperation Agreement between China and Austria in the Field of Training and Exchanging Experience of Administrative Executives; the Framework Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation between Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and Austrian Agency for European Integration and Economic Development; the Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Establishing a Chinese Language Teaching Degree in Sinology at the Institute of Chinese and East Asia Studies of the University of Vienna; the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Transportation, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Austria on Cooperation in the Fields of Road, Inland Waterway Transport and Related Infrastructure Development; the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Ministry of Commerce of China and the Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth of Austria on Cooperation in the Working Group on Trade within the Mixed Commission for Economic Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Austria; and the Contract of Exporting Pure Electric Cars and Charging Infrastructure.

By the end of 2010, 17 pairs of provinces/cities from China and Austria have established sister relations.

On 8 August, former Chinese Ambassador to Austria Wu Ken left the post. Ambassador Shi Mingde assumed the post on 12 August.