Zhang Tong, mayor of Nantong, gifts an embroidery work to Martin Kocher, Federal Minister of Labour and Economy of Austria. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Martin Kocher, Federal Minister of Labour and Economy of Austria, led a delegation to Nantong, Jiangsu province, on Oct 16.

Zhang Tong, mayor of Nantong, welcomed the Austrian delegation, expressing gratitude for their long-standing interest in and support for Nantong's economic development.

The delegation visits the factory of an Austrian enterprise in Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

She stated that Austria is an important participant in China's Belt and Road Initiative, and Nantong has maintained close cooperation with the country for many years. Currently, Austria has 32 investment projects in Nantong, with a total actual foreign investment exceeding $150 million.

The mayor also said she looks forward to the visit by Austrian high-quality enterprises and hopes to promote more fruitful cooperation in areas such as industrial chain extension, market expansion, technological innovation, and talent exchange.

The delegation poses for a group photo with Nantong officials at the China-Austria Cooperation Center. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Koch mentioned that the Austrian business community attaches great importance to cooperation with China, especially with the Yangtze River Delta region. He looks forward to both sides fully leveraging their respective strengths to explore more possibilities for cooperation in areas such as energy conservation, environmental protection, new energy, education, and training, aiming to achieve resource sharing and mutual benefit.

During their stay in Nantong, the delegation also visited the Nantong factories of Austria-based Stiwa and Starlim as well as the China-Austria Cooperation Center.