VIENNA, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The arrival of the first China-Europe freight train to Austria on Friday was "a symbol of the cooperation between China and Austria", Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen told Xinhua.
"This is really a symbol of the cooperation between China and Austria," Van der Bellen said. "We really hope this train is the first step of closer cooperation between China and Austria."
Austrian Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs Margarete Schrambock echoed his view, saying the new China-Europe freight train service marked an opportunity for a boost in mutual cooperation.
Speaking to media at Rosiwalgasse in Vienna where the train reached its final destination, Schrambock said the site represented one end of the Silk Road.
From there, it was possible to exchange quality goods that will travel in both directions, she added.
The train -- carrying 41 containers of goods valued at 1.5 million U.S. dollars, including LED displays, tires and lamps -- departed from Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province on April 12.
It traveled a 9,800-kilometer-long journey for 15 days through Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and Slovakia, and slowly pulled into Vienna South Freight Center. From the station, the goods will be transported to the destination.
With the new train, Austria is included into the network of China-Europe freight train service under the Belt and Road Initiative.
China-Europe freight trains have made 1,000 trips in the first three months, up 75 percent compared with the same period last year, according to China Railway Corporation.
The cross-border rail network links 43 Chinese cities with 41 European cities in 13 countries. Chengdu has 16 routes to cities including Nuremberg, Milan and Prague.
The first direct freight train came after Austria's largest delegation visited China from April 7 to 12, during which both sides enhanced bilateral ties, especially Belt and Road cooperation.
During the state visit, an e-commerce agreement was signed, which should in particular make it easier for medium-sized businesses to gain access to a market of the size of China's.
Schrambock said that trade would not be a "one-way" proposition, and that Austria is looking forward to having its goods reach China via the train network also.
The developing partnership is subject to intensive dialogue exchanges between the two countries, she added. And it is a goal for both sides to see it further strengthened.
She noted that in terms of digitalization and technology, her field of expertise, China is making strong advancements forward, and there are opportunities to be examined on how both nations could make forward progress together.
As part of exploring this further, Schrambock said she will return to China in November, where she will join numerous Austrian companies in attending China's largest fair -- the China International Import Expo -- in Shanghai.
She also said that further opportunities for mutual cooperation are being worked on, such as for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, for which Austrian companies can provide much expertise.
Austria's approach to such mutual trade projects are not based on protectionism and isolation, she noted. She quoted China's ancient military strategist Sun Tzu as saying "the greatest victory is that which requires no battle".
