China ready to work with Portugal on bilateral, EU level

Beijing is ready to work with Lisbon to build a more stable, fruitful and dynamic bilateral relationship and to promote China-EU ties as a strategic partnership based on mutual trust and shared success, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

He made the remarks when co-chairing the second China-Portugal strategic dialogue at the foreign ministers' level with Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel in Beijing.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-Portugal comprehensive strategic partnership and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union.

China and Portugal have a long-standing tradition of mutual respect and support, which Wang described as the fundamental reason and political guarantee for the long-term stability and development of bilateral ties.

On China's economic outlook, Wang highlighted that the country has set an annual growth target of around 5 percent and remains committed to steadily expanding institutional openness while advancing both autonomous and unilateral opening-up in an orderly manner.

He emphasized that Chinese modernization is rooted in mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, offering greater opportunities not only for Portugal but for the world at large.

Portugal remains one of the EU nations with the highest per capita Chinese investment. Wang called for further expanding cooperation in key areas such as project investment, green transition, digital economy, innovation and research, and information and communications, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges.

China and Portugal should continue leveraging Macao's role as a bridge to significantly deepen bilateral ties, he added.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. Wang emphasized that the world must move forward rather than regress to the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak.

China highly values Portugal's unique role within the EU and on the international stage and is willing to strengthen coordination with Portugal to uphold multilateralism and jointly defend international fairness and justice, Wang said.

He also said China regards Europe as an important pillar in a multipolar world and supports Europe in maintaining strategic autonomy.

China stands ready to work with the EU to uphold a partnership-based approach, expand opening and cooperation, and advance the healthy development of China-EU relations, Wang said, while expressing hope that Portugal can play a positive role in this regard.

Speaking on the sound relationship between the two countries, Rangel reaffirmed that China is a trustworthy partner and that Portugal highly values its ties with China, while reiterating Portugal's firm commitment to the one-China policy.

Recognizing the significant contribution of Chinese investment to Portugal's economic and social development, he emphasized Portugal's openness to foreign investment and its welcome for more Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in the country.

He stressed that Europe and China should maintain their partnership, enhance dialogue and cooperation, jointly oppose protectionism, uphold multilateralism, and support the UN in playing a central role in international affairs, adding that Portugal is ready to strengthen multilateral collaboration with China.