The first round of a Sino-Portuguese strategic dialogue between Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Chengdu via video link has passed off successfully.
“China supports Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Portugal,” said Wang.
“It stands ready to tap trade potential with Portugal, optimise trade structure, expand and strengthen the existing projects in energy, finance and infrastructure and push for more tangible results of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.”
Wang added: “China is willing to strengthen cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, and promote joint research in advanced materials, marine, language and cultural heritage.”
The minister said that China always views its relations with Portugal from a “strategic and long-term perspective”, underlining that the two countries have established a comprehensive partnership and that the “traditional friendship between the two countries has stood the test and opened up new opportunities”.
“China is ready to consolidate strategic mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Portugal and make contributions to promoting bilateral relations,” Wang said.
The Covid-19 vaccine, he added, “is the most powerful weapon to defeat the pandemic” and China “stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Portugal and other European countries on the research and development as well as fair distribution of vaccines and drugs.”
Santos Silva underlined that Europe and China are “important economic and trade partners” and can also work together on international issues, such as climate change.
“Portugal is in support of expanding the common understanding between Europe and China and strengthening bilateral cooperation. The Portuguese market will always be open to Chinese enterprises.” the Portuguese Minister added.
