Envoy says Portugal plays important part in Belt and Road scheme

Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Cai Run has described his host country as an important player in the Chinese Belt and Road initiative, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese state-run news agency quotes Mr Cai as telling a conference in Lisbon which discussed the Belt and Road scheme: “China values Portugal’s role in the Belt and Road initiative very highly and is willing to proactively push ahead with increased, pragmatic Chinese and Portuguese co-operation under the framework.”

The Belt and Road initiative is meant to improve the infrastructure that connects China with Asia, Europe and Africa, and so increase trade.