Editor's Note: As Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz have arrived in China for their historic visit, Sino-Austrian ties are in the spotlight. Let's take a look at some highlights between China and Austria in trade, investment, sports, culture, technology, education and tourism.

Economic and trade cooperation

Bilateral trade

In 2017, trade volume between China and Austria rose by 15.5 percent to $8.39 billion, statistics from the Ministry of Commerce showed. China's exports to Austria totaled $2.53 billion, up 12.7 percent year-on-year. Imported goods stood at $5.86 billion, up 16.7 percent year-on-year.

Austria, with an economy heavily relying on exports, is among the countries that prefer to build closer cooperation with China, Vice-President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Christoph Matznetter said.

Investment

Direct investment by Austrian companies in China surpassed $94.88 million, and China's direct investment in Austria reached $320 million.