On March 28, 2025, the "Europe Outbound Center - Austria" Key Industries Promotion Conference was grandly held in Chengdu. Co-hosted by the Consulate General of Austria in Chengdu, Austrian-Chinese Business Association, and Global Economic Development Cooperation Association, and co-organized by the Sichuan Provincial Council for the Promotion of Foreign Economic Cooperation with support from the Chengdu Private Economy Development Promotion Center, the event was guided by the China Yearbook Press.

Bringing together government agencies, business associations, and enterprises, the conference aimed to deepen economic and trade cooperation between Sichuan, China, and Austria/Europe while fostering bilateral international exchanges and development. It received strong support from institutions including the Chengdu International Chamber of Commerce, Chengdu Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Association, Chengdu Public Art Association, Sichuan Provincial Federation of Young Business Leaders in Commerce, and the Public Art Research Institute of Tianfu College, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, providing a crucial platform for Sichuan enterprises to expand globally.

The conference was hosted by Liu Yutong, Secretary of the Global Economic Development Cooperation Association and Sichuan Provincial Council for the Promotion of Foreign Economic Cooperation. Distinguished guests in attendance included Mr. Lei Junshan, Consul General of Austria in Chengdu; Ms. Xu Wei, Director of the Division of International Economic Relations at the Sichuan Provincial Department of Commerce; Ms. Zhang Shan, Director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office at the Chengdu Municipal United Front Work Department; and Mr. Gui Hanfeng, Member of the Chengdu Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of the Global Economic Development Cooperation Association, and Executive President of the Sichuan Provincial Council for the Promotion of Foreign Economic Cooperation, who delivered speeches.

In his opening address, Mr. Gui Hanfeng provided an in-depth analysis of the potential for Sichuan enterprises to expand globally and emphasized the promising prospects of China-Austria cooperation, inspiring the audience. Mr. Lei Junshan offered a systematic overview of Austria’s key industries, innovation ecosystem, and investment opportunities, opening new windows for participating enterprises to understand the European market.

The thematic sharing session featured a series of highlights.

Ms. Guan Zhengmin, Executive Vice President of the Chengdu Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Association, delivered a speech titled "Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Facilitating Enterprise Globalization", highlighting the bridging role of overseas Chinese communities in international economic and trade cooperation. She proposed collaboration in green transition and digital economy through complementary strengths between China and foreign countries.

Ms. Sun Feifei, Senior Project Manager at the Commercial Section of the Consulate General of Austria in Chengdu, provided an in-depth analysis of Austria’s industrial technology, investment environment, and cultural resources, showcasing its unique appeal as a European economic hub and innovation powerhouse.

Additionally, Ms. Mu E, Commercial Consul at the Consulate General of Austria in Guangzhou, delivered a video message extending her support for the event.

During the conference, Ms. Liu Jinfei, Deputy Secretary-General of the Global Economic Development Cooperation Association (GEDCA) International Department and the Sichuan Provincial Council for the Promotion of Foreign Economic Cooperation, provided a detailed update on the preparation for the "11th Global Economic Development Forum Austria Summit & China-Europe Cultural Bazaar" and related activities scheduled for October 12-18, 2025. The summit will convene elites from politics, business, academia, and the arts across Eurasia, offering enterprises a high-level platform for exchanges and cooperation. Attendees were cordially invited to co-create opportunities at the event.

Ms. Deng Peipei, a representative from the Chengdu Private Economy Development Promotion Center, outlined the center’s functions and support policies for enterprises expanding globally, reinforcing confidence in the vision of "Chengdu Products Going Global, Chengdu Enterprises Soaring".

The integration of culture and economy emerged as a highlight of the conference. Mr. Pu Guoyi, President of the Chengdu Public Art Association, delivered a speech titled "China’s Public Art Riding the Wave of Economic Globalization", elaborating on how public art can inject cultural momentum into economic globalization. following these presentations，Mr. Gui Hanfeng was appointed as a Global Strategic Advisor to the Public Art Research Institute of Tianfu College, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, while Mr. Zhao Mi assumed the role of Director of the Cultural and Arts Professional Committee of the Global Economic Development Cooperation Association. These two appointments added new impetus to China-Austria cultural and economic collaboration.

To ensure the convenience of enterprises expanding globally, Mr. WANG Biao, Manager of the VFS Global Chengdu Joint Visa Application Center, provided an overview of the latest Austria visa application policies. Ms. ZHAO Rui, Senior Account Manager at the Chengdu Branch of Hainan Airlines, promoted the Chengdu-Vienna direct flight service, which will inject new vitality into economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two regions as an "Air Silk Road".

Following the conference, attendees engaged in free networking and business matching sessions to explore new possibilities for China-Austria cooperation. The promotion conference not only provided valuable opportunities for Sichuan enterprises to expand globally but also laid a solid foundation for economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between China and Austria. The organizers sincerely invited all sectors to 关注 and participate in the upcoming Austria Summit, aiming to jointly write a new chapter in Sichuan-Austria cooperation.