Both Austria and Switzerland enjoyed political stability in 2009. In December 2008，the Social Democratic Party and the People’s Party formed a grand coalition government in Austria. Affected by the global financial crisis，the two countries suffered severely with an increasing unemployment rate and a grim economic outlook. The Swiss financial sector was especially subjected to heavy losses. In view of this situation，the two governments successively put forward economic stimulus plans. In addition，Austria actively promoted the EU to strengthen its aid to Central & Eastern Europe. The two countries kept close and friendly relations with China in the fields of politics，trade and cultural exchanges and in particular on issues related to the global financial crisis and other important international issues of common concerns.