China Austria File Photo

Austrian diplomat and representatives from investment agencies gathered in Beijing on Friday to promote investment opportunities to Chinese investors, emphasizing the huge potential for mutual cooperation.

Attending the Austria Investment Environment Promotion Conference held by China Overseas Development Association, Austrian corresponding representatives exchanged views with dozens of Chinese business people on future investment opportunities in the Central European country.

Austria warmly welcomes Chinese investors from various sectors, said Valerie Breitenfeld, a deputy head of the Commercial Section of the Embassy of Austria in China, at the event. She named multiple industries where she sees the huge potential for investment and cooperation, such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals and energies.

Austria particularly well positioned for Chinese companies seeking access to the dynamic markets of Central and Eastern Europe, and this event provides excellent opportunity to present Austria as an attractive investment location, said Breitenfeld.

Business cooperation between the two countries has long moved beyond traditional goods trade into a new stage of capital integration, technological collaboration and deep alignment of industrial chains, said Jiang Yun, executive deputy secretary-general of CODA. He disclosed that his association plans to organize a delegation of Chinese companies to visit Austria in January 2026 for face-to-face exchanges with potential Austrian partners.

"Chinese enterprises are now thriving in Austria. Initially, investments were mainly from large telecommunications companies, but in recent years, new energy vehicles, high-end manufacturing and new materials companies have also started investing in Austria," said Wu Shanshan, chief representative for China, Austrian Business Agency.

On a particular note, Wu mentioned that in the field of renewable energy generation, Austria's demand for photovoltaic and energy storage products exported from China continues to grow.

Many Austrian companies are optimistic about the Chinese market and hope to invest there, making this a truly two-way collaboration, Wu added.

China is Austria's sixth-largest trading partner, largest trading partner in Asia and fifth-largest sales market outside the European Union, according to a report published on the website of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

"China has the experience in impressive, rapid development while Austria has strengthened and position at the heart of Europe... Today, Austria-China link across many fields," said Breitenfeld.

"Together with our partners in the EU, we're committed to further fostering mutually beneficial economic relations with China," she said.