CGTN reporter had a chance to ask Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz about what areas of investment and cooperation will be deepened after his visit to China, which is Austria's fifth largest trading partner, but the bilateral trade volume accounted for just four percent of foreign trade. 

China accounts for less than two percent of Austria's overseas investment. 

"Your question is very specific, and the figures are very accurate. In terms of the ranking, trade between China and Austria has not advanced very far; it's still relatively small going by just the sheer numbers. And so, the point of the mission this time is to significantly boost trade volume between the two countries. We also hope that the cargo train will be able to go back to China fully loaded with Austrian goods. In this way, we can expand our trade volume with China. China is a very large country, and Austria is smaller, but still, Austria is also a very powerful country in economic terms. We have a good basis to expand trade volume between the two countries. We fully believe our purpose for the visit to China has been achieved. In the future, the volume of trade between the two countries will be greatly increased. More cooperation between the two countries lies ahead," the chancellor said.

Sichuan is a very lively province, he said, adding that before they reach they were told that life here is very relaxed, but when they arrived they saw the city is growing and booming. 

China and Austria have agreed to establish a strategic partnership and expand cooperation. The opening of the consulate general in Chengdu will help deepen cooperation between China and Austria in foreign affairs, economy, science, education, culture, and biopharmaceuticals as well as boost exchanges between people from the two countries. Especially in Chengdu, more joint efforts will be made in science, infrastructure, financial services and tourism. 

Austria, with an economy that heavily relies on exports, is among the countries building closer cooperation with China. 

In 2017, the trade volume between China and Austria rose by 15.5 percent to 8.39 billion US dollars. Statistics from the Ministry of Commerce show that China's exports to Austria totaled 2.53 billion US dollars, up 12.7 percent year-on-year. Imported goods stood at 5.86 billion US dollars, up 16.7 percent year-on-year. On April 10, a hospital jointly funded by Hainan Airlines Group and Austria's Vamed health care company was unveiled in Hainan Province, to enhance the province’s medical infrastructure and promote the construction of the Hainan International Tourism Island. 

Austria will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union this July, giving it greater influence to boost China-EU ties.