The China-Austria Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, along with a promotional event for the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), took place in Vienna, Austria, on March 13.

Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), attended the event along with Austrian and international officials. Among those delivering speeches were Christoph Matznetter, vice president of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber; Florian Frauscher, director general for economic affairs, innovation and international policy at the Austrian Federal Ministry For Digital And Economic Affairs; Gunther Beger, managing director of the Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation at the U.N. Industrial Development Organization; and Qi Mei, China's ambassador to Austria.

Ren highlighted recent progress in China-Austria cooperation across various sectors. He said the CCPIT is ready to work with Austrian partners to leverage complementary strengths in resources and industry, and to help businesses from both countries explore new partnerships. Ren also invited more Austrian companies and institutions to join the third CISCE.

Austrian representatives noted that the forum marked the first large-scale economic and trade exchange between China and Austria since Austria's new government took office in early March. They emphasized that CISCE is a key platform for boosting global cooperation in industrial and supply chains.

They also expressed a commitment to deepening collaboration in fields such as rail transportation, automotive, semiconductors, microelectronics, the life sciences and green technology. Both sides said they aim to address global challenges and maintain the international trade order.

More than 200 representatives of trade and investment promotion agencies, business associations and enterprises from both countries attended the event.

The third CISCE is scheduled for July 16-20, 2025, in Beijing. The exhibition will feature six key industrial chains — advanced manufacturing, clean energy, smart vehicles, digital technology, healthy living and green agriculture — and include a supply chain service area.