Senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Liu Qibao has said that China is keen to further strengthen political mutual trust and deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields with Portugal in a bid to promote bilateral relations.
Liu, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, heading a CPC delegation, paid a three-day visit to Portugal that concluded on Thursday, at the invitation of Portugal's ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD).
During his visit, Liu met with Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho, also president of PSD, and main opposition Socialist Party (PS) Secretary General Antonio Costa in capital Lisbon.
Liu said the China-Portugal ties are at their best in history and China is keen to further strengthen political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, promote exchanges in personnel, culture and media outlets between both countries in a bid to boost the development of China's ties with Portugal and with Europe in an all-around manner.
Liu, also head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, appreciated the contributions made by Portugal's PSD and PS to promote the China-Portugal ties, and expressed hope that the two sides continue to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and expand the exchanges between the local and young statesmen of the two countries.
During the visit, Liu also briefed the Portuguese side on the "Belt and Road" initiative proposed by the Chinese government and the opportunities it brings to the cooperation between China and Portugal, as well as Europe as a whole.
Coelho spoke highly of the current situation of the relations between Portugal and China, expressing his hope that Portugal could take advantage of the "Belt and Road" initiative to deepen the pragmatic cooperation in various fields between both countries.
Costa, during his meeting with Liu, said that PS will continue to enhance exchanges and cooperation with CPC and promote political mutual trust between the two countries and friendship between the two peoples.
Liu also visited the all media production center of China Radio International based in Lisbon and attended the signing ceremony of an array of cooperation agreements between media outlets and publishing sectors of China and Portugal.
