Ｃｈｉｎｅｓｅ Ｐｒｅｓｉｄｅｎｔ Ｈｕ Ｊｉｎｔａｏ ａｎｄ Ａｕｓｔｒｉａｎ Ｐｒｅｓｉｄｅｎｔ Ｈｅｉｎｚ Ｆｉｓｃｈｅｒ Ｓｅｎｄ Ｍｅｓｓａｇｅｓ ｏｆ Ｃｏｎｇｒａｔｕｌａｔｉｏｎｓ ｏｎ

Editor’s note:

In January 2004， Benita Ferrero-Waldner， Austrian foreign minister at the time， announced that China Year would be held in Austria in 2006 to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Austria and China and to promote understanding of China and bilateral cooperation. The two sides decided after consultation that the activities for the China Year would be jointly organized by the Austria-China Friendship Association and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The governments of the two countries attach great importance to the holding of the China Year. Chinese President Hu Jintao， Austrian President Heinz Fischer and Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel and other state leaders of the two countries have sent messages of congratulations. Relevant departments and institutions in both countries have given it great support.

About 100 programmes in the areas of politics， economy， culture， education， sports， etc. are included in the 2006 China Year. The inauguration held in Vienna on January 23， 2006 was attended by more than 500 people.Federal Chancellor Schussel congratulated on the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Austria and China and declared the opening of the China Year.

On the occasion of the opening of the 2006 China Year in Austria， we wish all the programmes full success and Sino-Austrian friendly cooperation further growth.

Message of Congratulations from Chinese President Hu Jintao

The friendly contact between the people of China and Austria dates back to ancient times. Since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1971， bilateral relations have witnessed continuous development. The exchanges and cooperation of various forms in the political， economic， cultural and other fields between the two countries have reaped rich fruits. Austria has become an important cooperation partner of China in Europe.

The 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria falls in 2006. The Austrian Government has announced 2006 the China Year. Rich and colourful activities will be held in Austria throughout the year by the nongovernmental friendship organizations of the two countries to introduce China in celebration of the 35th anniversary， for which I express my great appreciation. The unique and splendid cultures created by the Chinese and Austrian peoples are important achievements in the treasure house of human civilization. I believe that the activities of the 2006 China Year in Austria will promote cultural exchanges between our two countries， enhance understanding between our peoples， deepen their friendship and give impetus to the development of Sino-Austrian relations.

Wishing the 2006 China Year in Austria full success.

Hu Jintao

President of the People’s Republic of China

August 18， 2005

Message of Congratulations from Austrian President Heinz Fischer

Having made visits to China I believe that the fruitful exchanges between our two countries have broad prospects.

With gladness and interest I was informed that the China Year planned by the Austria-China Friendship Association will be held in 2006， a year that will not only see the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Austria and China， but also the 35th anniversary of cooperation between the Austria-China Friendship Association and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Concerted efforts are being made to prepare an attractive and informative programme.

Around 100 activities planned will be a fine combination of information exchanges， discussions and performing and plastic arts in the forms of large-scale exhibition， symposium， opera and play， and open-air performance.

I am convinced that the various activities will bring China and Austria closer.

I wish the 2006 China Year full success with a large audience.

Heinz Fischer

(Translated from the Chinese version)