Austria is interested in strengthening economic, political and cultural relations with China, said visiting Austrian Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel in Beijing Wednesday.

Schuessel made the remarks in a speech entitled "The Austria's Role in Europe and the Relations between Austria and China" at Beijing University.

Schuessel said the situation in China has "dynamically changed" compared with that of 10 years ago, when he paid a visit to China as the minister of economy.

He spoke highly of the achievements accomplished by China in the past decade, saying China's progress opens "new doors" for the development of Austria-China relations, and that China is of special significance for Austria.

As to Austria-China ties, Schuessel said the two countries have been strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, science and technology in recent years.

The chancellor hoped that Austria and China would achieve greater progress in their economic ties as the two countries have a huge potential in cooperation in trade and economy.

China and Austria established diplomatic ties in 1971. The trade volume between the two countries exceeded 3 billion euros (3.87 billion US dollars) in 2004.

At the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Schuessel arrived here Tuesday night for a week-long official visit to China. He will also head to south China's island province Hainan for the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia and visit Shanghai and east China's Jiangsu Province.