Chinese President Xi Jinping and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa have agreed to make the already friendly relations between their countries even friendlier, Xinhua reports.
The Chinese government-run news agency says the heads of state, meeting in Lisbon, agreed to make the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Portugal and the People’s Republic of China, which falls next year, the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship.
The report quotes Mr Xi as telling his host that China and Portugal should increase exchanges between senior figures in their respective national governments, legislatures, political parties, local government areas and non-governmental bodies.
Mr Xi called for a Sino-Portuguese agreement to co-operate in advancing the Chinese Belt and Road initiative, and for the swift establishment of a Chinese cultural centre in Lisbon.
Chinese investment in Portugal is welcome and Portugal is looking forward to more Sino-Portuguese engagement in economic and cultural affairs, Xinhua quotes Mr Rebelo de Sousa as saying.
Separately, a Portuguese newspaper, Observador, says Mr Rebelo de Sousa will visit China next April.
