On November 4, 2020, a delegation, headed by Friedrich STIFT, Ambassador of Austria to China, visited SASS.Xu Wei, Secretary of the CPC SASS Committee, met with Ambassador Friedrich STIFT and his entourages. Both parties exchanged views on such topics as Sino-Austrian relations and Jewish studies in Shanghai.
At first, Xu Wei extended a warm welcome to the Austrian guests. According to Xu Wei, the exchange and mutual learning between world civilizations demonstrate a long history. At present, various countries should take more time to advance mutual understanding and gain insights into each other. China always insists on opening to the outside world. In the current context that international community is generally confronted with pandemic problem, China International Import Expo is unswervingly hosted. As emphasized by him, China has tremendous market potential and strong consumption and purchasing power. Top-quality Austrian products and services are becoming more and more attractive to Chinese consumers. Austrian enterprises are sincerely welcome to invest and start up businesses in Shanghai.
Ambassador Friedrich STIFT not only expressed his gratitude for the warm reception of SASS, but also conveyed his admiration and appreciation for the effective efforts of the Chinese Government and people for fighting against the pandemic. According to him, the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic sweeps menacingly in Europe, and the fight against the pandemic is in grave difficulties. China’s ever-increasingly improved pandemic prevention and control situations and the continuous economic recovery inject great confidences into the rest of the world. China is an important source of tourists for Austria. Europe is expected to recover from the pandemic as soon as possible, while the Austrian economy is expected to turn around. Ambassador Friedrich STIFT came to Shanghai this time to visit the 3rd China International Import Expo. He wished that more Austrian enterprises could tap into the huge Chinese market.
Both parties also exchanged views on the history of Jews in Shanghai and Jewish studies in SASS. After the talks, Ambassador Friedrich STIFT and his entourages visited Center for Jewish Studies Shanghai, where the informal discussion was conducted with the resident scholars on such topics as the history of Jews in Shanghai. Ms. Brigitte Robinson-Seyrlehner, Consul General of Austria in Shanghai, accompanied in the visit. Zhu Guohong, Vice President of SASS, Pan Guang, President of Center for Jewish Studies Shanghai, Wang Jian, Director of SASS Institute of International Relations, and Cheng Fucai, Director of SASS Office of International Cooperation, were also present.
