Austria's "Year of China" celebrations to be launched in Golden Hall

A Chinese New Year concert in Vienna will be the prelude to Austria's "Year of China," which marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Austria diplomatic ties, the Chinese embassy in Vienna said Tuesday.

The 2011 Chinese New Year Concert in Vienna, organized by the Austrian-Chinese Cultural Exchange Association, will be held on Jan. 25 in Vienna's Golden Hall, the traditional venue for the annual New Year Concert.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer have each sent congratulatory messages for the celebrations, according to officials.

In his message, Hu said that the "Year of China" activities would serve as a platform to deepen exchanges between peoples of the two countries.

The fact that the civil organizations in the two countries are once again joining forces to prepare for a host of China-themed exchange activities has fully demonstrated good will from both sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, marking a new height of bilateral ties, Hu said.

"I believe cooperation in holding Year of China activities will further enhance mutual understanding and friendship, promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and contribute to the diversities of culture and growth model around the world," Hu said.

Echoing Hu's views, Fischer said since Austria and China established diplomatic relations 40 years ago, bilateral ties have maintained a strong momentum and yielded desirable results. The celebrations would further deepen cooperation in political, economic and cultural domains.

This year is the eleventh time the Chinese New Year Concert will be held in the Golden Hall by the Austrian-Chinese Cultural Exchange Association, which has remained committed to showing China's diversity to the world.