On March 10, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the latter's request.

Wang Yi said that since the COVID-19 outbreak, China and Austria have helped each other, fought together against difficulties, and actively carried out anti-pandemic cooperation. As Austria is currently taking effective measures to control the pandemic, he believes the country will certainly be able to win the final victory.

Wang Yi stressed that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Austria. He hopes the two sides will take this opportunity to earnestly sum up valuable experience in bilateral cooperation, actively carry out cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and continue to open up new chapters of cooperation that is mutually beneficial. In August last year, Austria's first China-Europe freight train pulled out of Vienna for Xi'an, marking another important step forward in the Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries. China, which is actively building a new development paradigm and striving to achieve high-quality development, welcomes the Austrian side to seize the opportunity to strengthen cooperation in high-end manufacturing, digital economy, energy conservation and environmental protection, and other fields. Beijing will host the Winter Olympic Games early next year, while Austria is a winter sports power which has held the Games. The two sides can boost cooperation, including exchanges and mutual learning in venue construction, personnel training, hosting experience and other aspects.

Wang Yi noted, China and the European Union (EU) have always been partners, not rivals, let alone institutional rivals. The systems of China and those of the EU have been built respectively on their own time-honored histories and civilizations. The two sides should appreciate and learn from each other, and jointly promote the cause of peace and development of mankind. He hopes that Austria, as an important member state of the EU, will focus on the overall situation of China-EU cooperation and the long-term interests of China-Austria relations, continue to adopt an objective and fair position, and play a unique and important role.

Alexander Schallenberg said, the relations and friendship between Austria and China have been consolidated and deepened in cooperation against the pandemic. He appreciates China's support and help in anti-pandemic supplies and other aspects and hopes that the two countries will overcome the impact of the pandemic and jointly push forward a series of activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties. Austria is willing to work with China to strengthen communication and exchanges, deepen cooperation in economy, trade, agriculture, aviation and other fields, and actively participate in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, so as to further push forward the friendly relations between the two countries.

The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern.