Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel emphasized in Beijing the strong relationship with China, downplaying the absence of visits over the past five years: “There is a very positive state in relations. The fact that there has been this hiatus has not slowed the interest that both countries have in their bilateral relationship,” he said after meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
In the same meeting, the Portuguese diplomat invited “more Chinese companies to invest and thrive in Portugal,” indicating that Lisbon “is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of economy and trade, energy, health, finance, infrastructure, and ecological transformation.”
Rangel stated that Portugal and China “have a long history of interaction” and that relations between the two countries “have been developing well,” according to a note released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Beijing and Lisbon “set an example to the world” by peacefully resolving the issue of Macau, he added. “Portugal is one of the European Union countries that receives the most Chinese investment ‘per capita,'” said Wang, who called for “expanding cooperation in areas such as project investment, ecological transformation, digital economy,” among others.
Wang highlighted the role Macau can play “as a bridge to promote the relationship between the two countries to achieve greater development.” Paulo Rangel began a four-day visit to China this week, which concludes today in Macau and Hong Kong.
