China and Austria established diplomatic relations on May 28, 1971. In April 2018, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, accompanied by Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and four federal ministers, paid a state visit to China. During the visit, President Xi Jinping and President Van der Bellen agreed to establish the China-Austria Friendly Strategic Partnership, thus taking the bilateral relations to a new level. In 2021, China and Austria celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. President Xi Jinping and State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi exchanged congratulatory messages with Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg.

The two countries have been very active in economic and trade exchanges, cultural and educational exchanges, with frequent mutual visits and fruitful cooperation. In September 2002, China and Austria signed the agreement on the research cooperation on the protection of giant pandas. In March 2003, China provided a pair of giant pandas to the Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria, which gave birth to five cubs. In November 2013, the two sides renewed the relevant agreement. In June 2024, the two sides further extended the agreement.

20 pairs of sister provinces/cities/districts had been established between the two countries.