Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a deepening of trust and cooperation with Portugal in a signed article published in Portuguese daily newspaper Diario de Noticias on Monday, the eve of the start of his two-day state visit.

In the article, Xi commended the rapid development of the Sino-Portuguese friendship over the past four decades. 

Xi said China is willing to increase trust and understanding with Portugal, as well as expand cooperation. 

The president proposed five ways of accelerating the development of ties even further, including strengthening high-level communication and people-to-people exchanges and closer collaboration on multilateral issues. 

Xi also called for both nations to uphold multilateralism and free trade. 

On China's global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Xi stressed that the two countries should continue to reinforce current projects under the framework, expand bilateral trade and create more opportunities for development. 

Xi also cited maritime cooperation with Portugal, saying the two should actively seek a "blue partnership" and develop a "blue economy." 

Xi reaffirmed China's stance on adhering to equality, peace and cooperation in dealing with global affairs. 

Xi's visit to Portugal on Tuesday and Wednesday is the last stop on his tour to Europe and Latin America that began on November 27.