Beijing, March 25th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with Paulo Rangel, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal. 

Liu said, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal, bilateral relations have maintained healthy and stable development. China and Portugal have also used Macao as a bridge to promote cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries for sound development. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Portuguese side to strengthen the docking of development strategies, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and push China-Portugal relations for steady and long-term development. China and Europe have broad common interests. Both sides support multilateralism and free trade and oppose protectionism and isolationism. China and Europe are each other’s partners, not rivals, and are each other’s opportunities, not threats. The Chinese side is ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with the Portuguese side, and promote China-Europe relations. The CPC is willing to strengthen political dialogue with the Social Democratic Party and other major Portuguese political parties to enhance mutual understanding. 

Rangel said Portugal and China have a long-standing friendship, and have witnessed robust development of bilateral relations in recent decades. The successful resolution of the Macao issue by Portugal and China has set an example for other countries, showing that countries can resolve issues left over from history through dialogue on the basis of mutual respect, and achieve win-win results. Chinese companies are welcome to invest and start businesses in Portugal. The Portuguese side positively evaluates the contributions made by Chinese companies to Portugal's economic and social development. Protectionism is not conducive to development and prosperity, while free trade brings mutual benefit and win-win results. As a member of the European Union (EU) and a Portuguese-speaking country, Portugal is willing to make efforts for the development of EU-China relations and relations between Portuguese-speaking countries and China. 

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. 

Paulo Jorge Pereira Do Nascimento, Portuguese Ambassador to China, was present.