Chinese, Austrian leaders draw upon warm memories
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting Austrian President Heinz Fischer shared jokes and old photos as they met Thursday evening for expanded dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (front R) talks with Austrian President Heinz Fischer (front L) during a meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 21, 2010. [Li Xueren/Xinhua] |
In a relaxed atmosphere, Wen and Fischer exchanged hugs in front of Chinese and international media members in a well decorated compound in the the Diaoyutai State Guest House.
"This place is more than 200 years old," Wen told Fischer.
"It's really beautiful," the President responded.
Upon entering the meeting room, Wen skipped the diplomatic formality by announcing, in the presence of the media, that he had kept some "proof" of the long-standing friendship with Fischer.
To the total amazement of the Austrian guests, Wen produced an old photo that he and Fischer took together some 22 years ago when they had beer in Vienna.
"Where did you find it?" Fischer said. "We were 22 years younger then."
"Yes, you were very young at that time," Wen replied in good humor.
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Austrian President Heinz Fischer (L) shows Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao his working diary 22-year-ago when he received Wen's visit in Vienna during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 21, 2010. [Li Xueren/Xinhua] |
The caption of the photo reads: Wen Jiabao, then alternate member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and concurrently director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, meets in Vienna, Austria in 1988 with Heinz Fischer, then president the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party of Austria.
"I think our meeting was in December then?" Fischer suggested.
"It's December 5," Wen came up with an affirmative comment.
"Then, Mr. Premier, I will have some proof for you, too," Fischer said as he fetched for a calendar of 1988.
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