New milestone in China-Portugal ties

World
Europe

Next year will be a new milestone for China and Portugal, as it marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties between the two countries, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday during his visit in Lisbon.

China and Portugal enjoy ever-deepening exchanges in various areas, said Wang in remarks made when meeting with Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, adding that China is willing to cooperate with Portugal to safeguard openness in the world economy.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa in Lisbon, May 18, 2018. /MOFA Photo

Simultaneously, China's increasing investment will bring Portugal more opportunities for development in fields of finance, energy, transportation and so on, the president said.

During a meeting between Wang and Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa, the two agreed that China and Portugal have improved their relations over the last 40 years, evidenced by high-level exchanges and deepened political mutual trust.

Portugal will continue to cement its ties with China in an all-round way, said Costa.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with his Portuguese counterpart Augusto Santos Silva in Lisbon, May 18, 2018. /MOFA Photo

Wang also met with his Portuguese counterpart Augusto Santos Silva this Friday. During a press conference with Silva, Wang said China and Portugal agree to work as important cooperation partners in implementing the Belt and Road Initiative.

China appreciates Portugal's consistent support for the Initiative and is willing to discuss and sign an intergovernmental cooperation agreement on it to facilitate its alignment with Portugal's development strategies

Making Portugal a key hub on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road will bring new prospects and stimulus to the development of bilateral ties, Wang said, adding that China attaches great importance to a bilateral "blue partnership" proposed by Portugal, and believes that combining this with building the Belt and Road will boost collaboration in the marine, cultural and other areas.

Wang said the two countries will continue to promote investment and trade cooperation. Detailing their complementary advantages, China is willing to work with Portugal on third-party cooperation in regions including Africa and Latin America.

Portugal highly appreciates the Belt and Road Initiative, Silva said, adding that Portugal’s southern deepwater port of Sines could play an important role in the maritime route.

(Cover: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Lisbon, May 18, 2018. /MOFA Photo)