The legislative branches in China and Portugal should advance cooperation to ensure the legal rights of people working in each other's countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

President Xi, who is on a two-day state visit in Portugal, made the remarks when meeting with Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, president of the Portuguese parliament, in Lisbon. 

Xi recalled the long-term friendship between the two sides, saying that 19 years ago in 1999, the successful settlement of the Macao issue set a wonderful example for the international community to solve issues left over from history. This also set a foundation for the two sides' mutual trust and further cooperation.

On his part, Rodrigues welcomed President Xi's visit, the first by a Chinese head of state to the European country in eight years.

Rodrigues called for more cooperation in areas like trade and people-to-people exchanges. He also shows Portugal's full support to the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, and hopes his country can play a key role in Europe under the framework.

Portugal is the final leg of President Xi's Europe and Latin America tour, which has already taken him to Spain, Argentina and Panama.