Güssing is one of the first European countries in Austria to respond to the Belt and Road Initiative, and also a bridge from Central and Eastern Europe to Western Europe along the Belt and Road. Güssing is located in the south of Burgenland State in the east of Austria. In 2007, it became the first carbon dioxide zero-emission area recognized by the European Union, the Austrian urban renewable energy technology center, the implementation place of the European Union’s model project in the 21st century, and the first city in the world driven by 100% renewable energy. This development model is called “Güssing model” internationally.

Exchanges between Wanzhou District and Güssing

In 2011, the Sino-European Environmental Development Promotion Association of Austria visited Wanzhou District and introduced the experience of zero carbon dioxide emission in Güssing, Austria. In 2013, in order to cooperate with Wanzhou District Development and Reform Commission to apply for the Sino-European Urbanization Partnership Cooperation City Project, Wanzhou District filled in the Application Form for Sino-European Urbanization Partnership Cooperation City according to the communication with Güssing. In May 2016, at the invitation of the Mayor of Güssing, Bai Wennong, then Head of Wanzhou District, led a delegation to visit Güssing, and both sides signed the Memorandum on Developing Friendship Cities Relations, reaching a consensus on establishing friendship cities relations and conducting exchanges and cooperation in ecological and environmental protection construction. In November 2016, Hofer, a member of Güssing Municipal Government, was invited to lead a delegation to Wanzhou District, and as a friendly exchange city of Wanzhou District, attend the 2016 China International Friendship Cities Conference jointly organized by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, China International Friendship Cities Federation and Chongqing Municipal People’s Government. Dr. Zweiler , member of the delegation, Director of the International Department of Güssing and President of Güssing New Energy Research Institute, made a keynote speech on “Green Home-Zero Emissions” at the theme forum entitled “Low-carbon City, Green Home”.