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The European Union's Space Strategy for Security and Defence
Space and space infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to nations in space. The European Union also has its space defense strategy. Learn more about Europe's efforts in Space defense.
May 24, 2022
European Central Bank Calls for Action Against Inflation
The European Central Bank is calling for quick action against inflation. The inflation rate shot up to 7.4 percent in the euro area recently, well above the ECB's target of two percent.
May 19, 2022
How China's Global Infrastructure Strategy Undermines European Integration in the Western Balkans and Beyond
The accession of the Western Balkans countries into the European Union continues to be a topic of debate amongst the EU Member States. Read how China's global infrastructure strategy may be undermining these countries' aspirations for EU membership.
May 19, 2022
UN Chinese Language Day Celebrated in Vienna
A virtual event took place in Vienna to mark the United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day and promote the Chinese language and culture.
May 18, 2022
How the People’s Republic of China Leverages Its Membership in Multilateral Organizations to Advance Its Geopolitical Interests
Without question, China has become a global superpower and is successfully expanding its influence around the world. While there are many factors that have contributed to this success, China’s utilization of multilateral organizations to shape the international system to its liking cannot be discounted. Read how China has leveraged its membership in multilateral organizations to advance its own geopolitical interests.
May 17, 2022
Protection of the European Single Market: European Commission Wants to Control Third-Country Subsidies
The European Commission has presented a new proposal to combat competition-distorting subsidies from third countries. The background for the proposal is the increasing global imbalance between companies from the EU and those from third countries. This is primarily to counter the influence of China and Chinese companies in Europe.
May 5, 2022
How the Austrian Development Agency Assists in Post-Soviet Conflicts in the South Caucasus
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the South Caucasus states of Armenia and Georgia have been searching for a new political and social identity. The trend goes in the direction of Europe. The EU and Austria are standing by with support.
April 4, 2022
NATO and EU Military Committee Meet Regarding Western Balkans
A joint meeting of the NATO Military Committee and the European Union Military Committee was held to discuss the current security situation in the Western Balkans as well as the EU's ongoing Operation Althea. In the context of the Russian military aggression on Ukraine, stability in the Balkans increases in importance.
March 29, 2022
The Impact of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine on the Nuclear Talks in Vienna
In the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine new issues emerged in the negotiations for the revival of the JCPOA in Vienna. For the West and Iran, it is important to re-establish the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, despite Russia's diversionary tactics.
March 24, 2022
Putin's Aggression Against Ukraine as a Trigger for the Flare-up of the Austrian Neutrality Debate
Russia's fabricated pretext for war, Russian use of disinformation to distract and deflect responsibility and eventually Russia's invasion of Ukraine could become the turning point for Austria's security policy. Parliamentary groups discussed Austria's position in the field of tension between neutrality, NATO accession and the EU army.
March 23, 2022
The Ukraine Invasion and India: Schallenberg in New Delhi
Foreign Minister Schallenberg visited India to hold talks in the capital New Delhi. In addition to other regional and international security policy topics of discussion, the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine will be the main topic.
March 21, 2022
Western Balkans Trip for New Momentum against Destabilization by Russia and China
The Balkans were plagued by war 30 years ago. When Yugoslavia collapsed, the first war in Europe after World War II occurred. A policy of stability in this region is particularly important, especially in the backdrop of the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine. Recently Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer as well as many other European politicians have traveled to the Balkan states to talk to the most important politicians and dignitaries. The EU and the U.S. have long been the central players in the Western Balkans and want to counter Russia's and China's influence in the region.
March 18, 2022
UN General Assembly: 141 States Condemn Russian Aggression and Rights Violations against Ukraine
By a large majority, the UN General Assembly has condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine. 141 states voted in favor of a resolution to this effect and demanded Russia's withdrawal from the country. Austria was represented by its UN Ambassador.
March 2, 2022
EU - African Union Summit as Driver for Strengthened Economic Partnership between African Countries and Austria
Austria plans to use the upcoming European Union - African Union Summit as a means to strengthen the economic partnership between African countries and Austria. Read more about Austria's plans for strengthening cooperation with Africa.
February 15, 2022
Huawei's 5G Network Technology in Austria: Systemic Rival at the Gate to Europe
While all eyes in Europe are focused on the Russia-Ukraine side conflict, the true war is raging elsewhere, namely in network technology between China and the West. This technology war is about nothing less than the global security-technological leadership role of the next decades, and thus about the decisive question of whether the Western democratic world order can assert itself or whether the Chinese authoritarian system with totalitarian surveillance will prevail. Due to its relative weakness, Austria plays an important and central key role in this process. While most Western countries are increasingly and decidedly resisting the deployment of the 5G network infrastructure largely supplied by Huawei and ZTE - which are intricately owned and substantially controlled by the Chinese Communist Party - there are quite a few telecom providers in Austria who are using and even expanding this technology, primarily because their economic survival is already dependent on this technology, and secondly because the Austrian state is largely toothless and ignorant in the face of the push by the Chinese equipment suppliers and their lobbyists.
February 9, 2022 · Updated: February 9, 2022; 21:56
IAEA to Assess Safety of Japan Dumping Fukushima's Radioactive Cooling Water into Sea
A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will go to Japan to conduct a review of the safety of the Japanese government's decision to dump radioactive cooling water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean. Read about the review and who opposes Japan's decision.
February 7, 2022
Lunar New Year 2022: Austria's Chinese Community Welcomes the Year of the Tiger
People around the world recently celebrated the ushering in of the Year of the Tiger. Read more about the Lunar New Year, one of the most important Chinese holidays.
February 3, 2022
Ai Weiwei at the Albertina Modern: "In Search of Humanity"
A new exhibition at the Albertina Modern entitled "In Search of Humanity" will display works by renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei. Learn more about the new exhibition and see some of the pieces that will be on display.
February 2, 2022
"National Carrier" in German Ownership is Proud to Fly the Austrian Olympic Team to Beijing
The "Austrian Airlines" aircraft with flight number OS63, chartered by the Austrian Olympic Team, took off from Vienna Airport to bring athletes including comprehensive equipment non-stop to Beijing.
January 28, 2022
Vienna Nuclear Talks: Direct Contacts between Tehran and Washington Possible
Iranian leadership has suggested that Iran may be open to meeting directly with U.S. officials for negotiations to revive the Iran Nuclear Deal. Read about this significant stance change and what it means for the JCPOA.
January 27, 2022
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About China's Permanent Mission to the UN and Other International Organizations in Vienna
The villa and park complex at Hohe Warte in Vienna Döbling, which was sold to the People's Republic of China in 2013 for a reported € 21 million, and in which its UN embassy has been located since 2020 under the leadership of H.E. Ambassador Wang Qun, has a storied ownership history and already belonged to Hungarian-Habsburg high aristocrats, Yugoslavian war criminals and the City of Vienna, which used it as an orphanage and in which sexual child abuse was carried out.
January 25, 2022
Meet the New Italian Ambassador to Austria, H.E. Mr. Stefano Beltrame
The new Ambassador of Italy to Austria, H.E. Mr. Stefano Beltrame, presented his credentials to Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about the new ambassador.
January 17, 2022
Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapon States: Austria's Foreign Minister Calls for Concrete Action
"We finally need concrete progress towards nuclear disarmament according to the obligations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but unfortunately the development is going in the wrong direction", says Alexander Schallenberg.
January 10, 2022
Austrian Government Opposes Boycott of the China Winter Olympics
The Austrian government has expressed its opposition to a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in China. Read which countries support the boycott and what the Austrian government has said about it.
December 16, 2021
Priorities of Austrian Foreign Policy in the Face of Numerous Global Challenges in 2022
The Foreign Policy Committee of the Austrian National Council recently met to discuss some of the major global challenges going into 2022. Read which issues they discussed and Austria's stance on them.
December 15, 2021
International Organizations Continue to Favor Austria as Their Seat
The hosting of international organizations is of great importance for Austrian foreign policy, secures 19,000 jobs and has a gross value added effect of € 1.35 billion per year.
December 13, 2021
Who Is China's Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna?
H. E. Mr. Wang Qun is Permanent Representative and Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of the Permanent Mission of the PRC People's Republic of China to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna.
December 12, 2021
After Pandemic Shock, Strong Upturn in Foreign Trade: China +26.4 %, USA +18 %
New data for January to September 2021 shows that Austria's foreign trade is returning to pre-pandemic levels. Read about Austria's improving trade figures.
December 10, 2021
Li Yong and UNIDO: The Career of a Mainland Chinese in a Multilateral Organization
With the departure of the Chinese Li Yong (70) from the helm of UNIDO, a golfing member of the Communist Party of China has left the influential post of Director General in a major multilateral institution after 8 years in office.
December 9, 2021
Towards a Powerful European Security and Defense Policy to Counter Authoritarian Regimes
"We are in a systemic rivalry with authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China and must make every effort to defend the international rules-based order. It is a matter of protecting the principles of international law, human rights and the international peace order." Against the backdrop of events in Afghanistan, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen argues for the expansion of Europe's military competencies.
December 8, 2021
Controversial Chinese 5G Network Operator Huawei Appointed New Austria CEO
The Mainland Chinese Harvey Zhang (38) has been appointed CEO of Huawei Technologies Austria, effective immediately. He replaces Jackie Zhang (38), who was appointed as the new Austria boss just a few months ago.
December 1, 2021
Beijing's Influence Towards Austria: Visit by Wan Gang, the High-Level Leader of the Overseas Chinese Voice
Wan Gang, a high-ranking Chinese politician, engineer and Chairman of the China Zhi Gong Party (Sub-organization of United Front of China) visited Austria to consolidate the network of benevolent institutions, agencies and patriotic overseas Chinese and to strengthen China's economic and political influence.
November 30, 2021
Iran Nuclear Talks to Resume November 29 in Vienna
The Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) talks between China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Tehran on reviving the Iran nuclear deal will convene in a physical format on 29 November 2021 in Vienna, the EU says.
November 5, 2021
Call for Solidarity for China Sanctioned States Including Taiwan
A motion for a resolution was filed in the Austrian Parliament calling for the Austrian government to support countries, such as Taiwan, sanctioned by China for supporting democracy, human rights, and other global values. Read about the motion and the reasoning behind it.
October 21, 2021
EU Support to Western Balkans as Repulsion against China and Turkey
European heads of state and government that make up the European Council, including Chancellor Kurz, met in Slovenia for informal talks and the Western Balkans Summit. In addition to other issues, the leaders discussed the accession of Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Kosovo to the EU. Read more about what Kurz and the EU said about the enlargement process.
October 6, 2021
50th Anniversary: Diplomatic Relations between China and Austria
To commemorate the anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and Austria, the Austrian Post (Österreichische Post) has now also issued a special postage stamp.
August 30, 2021
Taiwan and Austria: Current State of Political and Trade Relations
The relations between Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), and Austria are developing stably despite the current tensions in the South China Sea.
June 1, 2021
China and Austria: Extension of Climate Neutrality Research Agreement
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Austria, the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang and Austria's Climate Protection Minister Gewessler extend the agreement for cooperation in research and technology in the field of climate neutrality.
June 1, 2021
Chinese Ambassador to Austria Receives Grand Decoration of Honor
Ambassador Li Xiaosi from the People's Republic of China has been awarded the Grand Decoration of Honor for his Servicer to the State of Vienna by Mayor Michael Ludwig.
May 27, 2021
Meet the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vienna or How to (not) Be an Embassy
The increased geopolitical tensions around the diplomatic status of Taiwan can even be felt in the otherwise tranquil Vienna diplomatic scene as Taiwan’s representation in Austria demonstrates.
May 12, 2021
Ambassador to China Appointed New CEO of the Austrian Development Agency
Friedrich Stift succeeds Martin Ledolter as CEO of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). Who is Dr. Friedrich Stift and what is his background?
May 5, 2021
Why Austria Is NOT One of the Best Countries in the World
Why a top "Quality of Life" rating is not enough to rank among the "best" countries in the world, and why expat destinations like Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia and even Switzerland are uncatchable ahead of Austria.
April 30, 2021
Vienna Stock Exchange: Introduction of 13 Asian Companies
The Vienna Stock Exchange has expanded its offering on the global market by three Chinese and ten Japanese stocks. This addition was made after recently recording a growing demand for Asian shares. Among the new companies offered are the technology group Fujifilm and the pharmaceutical company Takeda Pharmaceutical.
April 29, 2021
Message to Viktor Orban: "We will not subject ourselves to the political whims of one man and his regime"
Central European University (CEU) deplores the proposed amendment to the Act on National Higher Education and believes the government has no intention of creating the conditions in which international institutions can operate freely in Hungary.
April 21, 2021
Vienna Hosts Discussion Over Iran Nuclear Agreement
High representatives of the EU, China, France, Germany, Russia, UK, Iran and the United States have come to Vienna in order to discuss a possible revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as Iran Nuclear Agreement. Although progress was made, the path to a final decision might be long.
April 12, 2021
Schallenberg at FAC: "Turkey Keeps Taking Steps to Cause Trouble"
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and the other EU Foreign Ministers have met in Brussels for the Foreign Affairs Council. Sanctions against China for human rights violations, the EU relations with Turkey as well as the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic were on the agenda.
March 24, 2021
Austrian Airlines Resumes Operations with London and Tel Aviv
After the landing ban for passengers from the United Kingdom imposed by the Austrian government and the generally difficult air traffic situation with Israel in recent weeks, travel to London and Tel Aviv can now once again be offered by Austrian Airlines. Connections to China will, however, be suspended until April 9, 2021.
March 24, 2021
Investment Agreement with China Opens Doors
The European Union and China have agreed on a joint investment agreement. The core elements of the "Comprehensive Agreement on Investment" (CAI) include better market access, sustainability and a level playing field for European and Chinese companies. Considering the fact that China will be the biggest economy of the world in the near future, the agreement opens doors to a huge market.
December 30, 2020
Schallenberg Wants to Work Shoulder to Shoulder with United States
At the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU in Brussels the Foreign Ministers discussed transatlantic relations, the continuing tensions with Turkey and current trouble spots such as Ethiopia and Belarus. Austria's Minister Schallenberg hopes for improved relations between the United States and the EU in the near future.
December 7, 2020
Hong Kong Economist: How China Will Implement the National Security Law
Insightful conversation about the current economic crisis in Hong Kong, which was triggered by the National Security Law and the Coronavirus, which was conducted between the Austrian diplomat and former ambassador in Beijing, Irene Giner Reichl and the Hong Kong Economist and Lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chi Lo.
November 20, 2020
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