China's top legislator says relations with Portugal 'best in history'

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Relations between China and Portugal are at their best in history as proven by strong bilateral cooperation across various fields in recent years, said China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang.

Zhang, who paid an official friendly visit to Portugal from Monday to Wednesday, made the remarks while meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the standing committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 12, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

China and Portugal are good friends and partners which understand, respect, trust and support each other, said Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's legislature.

Zhang also expressed his hope that the two countries could enhance political mutual trust and strategic coordination while accommodating each other's core interests and major concerns.

Cooperation to be stepped up under Belt & Road Initiative

China and Portugal have pledged to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure project spanning dozens of countries.

Proposed by China in 2013, the initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Talking with Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa, Zhang said that Portugal, with its ideal geographic location, is a strategic propeller for the development of the Belt and Road project.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the standing committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 11, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

The Portuguese prime minister, for his part, said that Portugal is an active supporter and participant of the initiative. Portugal is ready to deepen cooperation with China in such areas as new energy, agricultural products and infrastructure, as well as in culture, education and tourism, Costa said.

Costa added that Portugal welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and will provide a fair and convenient business environment for them.

Parliamentary cooperation to be enhanced

During a meeting with his Portuguese counterpart Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, Zhang said that China's National People's Congress (NPC) is willing to join hands with the Portuguese parliament to elevate cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries and push forward the China-Portugal comprehensive strategic partnership.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the standing committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with Portuguese President of the Assembly of the Republic Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, in Lisbon, capital of Portugal, on July 11, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

He also called for reinforcing friendly exchanges between the two countries at all levels and expanding people-to-people exchanges.

As Portugal is an important destination country for Chinese investment in Europe, Zhang expressed the hope that Portugal would ensure legitimate rights of Chinese companies and investors in Portugal.

For his part, Rodrigues, president of the Assembly, said that Zhang's visit, the first by a top Chinese legislator to Portugal, has great significance in elevating cooperation between legislative bodies of the two countries and in deepening bilateral ties.

Before the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between China's NPC and the Portuguese parliament was inked by Zhang and Rodrigues.

(Sources: Xinhua)

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