China’s relations with Portugal are “in the best period of their history” and could be reinforced by the Chinese government’s “Belt and Road” initiative, in which Portugal is “an important partner,” said the Chinese ambassador in Lisbon.
Ambassador Cai Run speaking at the Business Opportunities Forum between Portugal, China and Macau, on Monday in Lisbon, organised by the Macau Institute for Trade and Investment the Promotion (IPIM), the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Portuguese Agency for Foreign Investment and Trade (AICEP).
This historic period in bilateral relations, said Cai Run, is based on high-level bilateral contacts, mutual political trust, “pragmatic and fruitful” cooperation, “close communication and coordination in key international and regional affairs,” as well as contact between the people of the two countries.
The results are felt at a trade level, with two-way exchanges amounting to 5.8 billion euros, 29% more than in the same period of last year, and China’s total investment in Portugal exceeding 6 billion euros by the end of 2016, a flow that “grows steadily” and will benefit from the direct air link between Beijing and Lisbon, starting this summer.