Austrian president brings young musical ambassador on visit to China

On Saturday, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz arrived in Beijing on an official visit to China. The historic visit marks the first time in Austrian history that the country's president and chancellor have travelled overseas together. The two senior figures are set to attend the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia, which is being held in Hainan Province between April 8 and 11.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday held talks with visiting Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. They agreed to establish a Sino-Austrian friendly strategic partnership and advance bilateral pragmatic cooperation to a new level.

It is reported that the Austrian delegation is composed of over 200 people, making it the largest that the European country has sent to China. It includes around 170 business leaders and 30 scientific researchers and scholars. The delegation brings a portfolio of potential projects to China, according to Xinhua.

Anna Cacilia Pfoess shakes hands with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen after playing a violin used by Mozart at the Chancellery in Vienna, Austria, Friday, April 6, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

Accompanying the delegation is a young musical ambassador. Seven-year-old Anna Cacilia Pfoess is due to perform at the welcome banquet for state leaders from China and Austria in Beijing on Sunday. At this special even, she will perform works by legendary Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a violin the composer used during his childhood. 

Anna Cacilia Pfoess plays a violin used by Mozart at the Chancellery in Vienna, Austria, Friday April 6, 2018. [Photo: VCG]

She is also expected to perform other works by Austrian and Chinese composers. The violin is believed to have been made in the 1740s, and has been on display since 1896 at a museum in Salzburg where Mozart was born. 

The visit by the Austrian delegation will finish on Thursday.