President Xi Jinping met with Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen today in Beijing. The two leaders agreed to establish a friendly strategic partnership. Our reporter Su Yuting has more.

The Austrian President is in China for a state visit with a 250-strong delegation. It includes four cabinet ministers and 170 businessmen.

President Xi Jinping welcomed him and his delegation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi said Austrian President Van der Bellen and Chancellor Kurz are setting a diplomatic record with their first joint visit to China. He said this shows the importance Austria attaches to developing bilateral ties with China. Xi Jinping said Austria is an important partner for China in Europe. He said China wants to work with Austria in tackling corruption, promoting tourism and multilateral cooperation.

Xi Jinping said this year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Austria has a constructive role in enhancing China's relations with Central and Eastern European countries.

The Austrian president said China has made great achievements since it began its reform and opening-up. It has also provided a lot of development opportunities for Austria. He said Austria will continue to work with China in trade and the economy, investment, science and technology, environmental protection, renewable energy, culture and sports. He also spoke highly of China's role in combating climate change and handling international issues.

After their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of various agreements, including cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, law enforcement, innovation, transportation, culture, sports and intellectual property rights.

SU YUTING BEIJING This is the first time Austria's president and chancellor have visited a country at the same time. There has never been such a high-level and large-scale delegation for any state visit before in Austria's modern history, and the joint visit is also very rare in the history of international exchanges. It is strongly believed that the extraordinary state visit will take bilateral relations to a new level.

Su Yuting, CGTN, Beijing.