On September 9, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council held talks with Portuguese Prime Minister Montenegro, who was officially visiting China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xiang

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 9 (Reporter Zhu Chao) Premier Li Qiang held talks with Portuguese Prime Minister Montenegro, who was officially visiting China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on September 9.

Li Qiang said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal, the two sides have always trusted, respected and helped each other, promoting the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal, and the bilateral relations and cooperation development usher in new opportunities. This morning, President Xi Jinping held a meeting with the Prime Minister to reach an important consensus on further consolidating and deepening China-Portuguese relations. China is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with Portugal, enhance political mutual trust, promote cooperation in various fields to continue to deepen and implement, and bring more benefits to the people of both countries.

Li Qiang pointed out that China is willing to strengthen the docking of development strategies with Portugal, continue to jointly build the "Belt and Road" with high quality, make good use of mechanisms such as strategic dialogue, the Economic and Trade Mixed Committee, and the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, promote the optimized and balanced development of bilateral trade, tap potential in emerging fields such as the digital economy and green economy, create more cooperation growth points, and support enterprises from the two countries to work together to develop third-party markets. China is willing to import more high-quality agricultural and food products from Portugal, encourage more Chinese companies to invest in Portugal, and hopes that Portugal will create a good business environment. The two sides should further facilitate personnel exchanges, release the vitality of the tourism economy, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the humanities fields such as universities, language teaching, digital education, and youth. At present, unilateralism and protectionist activities have seriously impacted the international order. As the two major forces in the world, China and Europe should strengthen coordination and respond together. It is hoped that Portugal will promote and guide the EU to adhere to the positioning of China-Europe partners, adopt a proactive and pragmatic policy toward China, work with China to safeguard free trade and safeguard the common interests of China and Europe.

Montenegro said that Portugal and China are traditionally friendly, political mutual trust between the two sides is deepening, and cooperation in various fields is fruitful. Thank you to China for providing valuable support for Portugal's economic and social development. The Portuguese government is willing to take the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries as an opportunity, in the spirit of mutual trust, closely communicate at all levels, deepen cooperation in the fields of trade, agriculture, ocean, culture, sports, etc., and create new highlights of cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, digital economy, green energy, and tourism. Portugal welcomes Chinese companies to invest and do business in Portugal, and hopes to actively expand trilateral cooperation with China. Portugal is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, jointly oppose protectionism, and maintain open and fair free trade. Portugal supports EU-China to strengthen dialogue and cooperation and is willing to play a constructive role in this regard.

Before the talks, Li Qiang held a welcome ceremony for Montenegro in the north hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wu Zhenglong participated in the above activities.