Xi Jinping and Portuguese President Exchange Congratulations on 45th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties
President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations with his Portuguese counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, on the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries on February 8.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Portugal have upheld the idea of mutual respect, openness, and inclusiveness since the diplomatic ties were established 45 years ago. China and Portugal have properly settled the Macao issue through friendly consultation and taken stock of the situation to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Xi said the two sides have jointly coped with the global financial crisis and public health challenges, expanded mutually beneficial cooperation among their enterprises, worked together for stronger Belt and Road cooperation and development of China-eu relations, and upheld multilateralism, vividly demonstrating the right way for countries to get along with one another.
Noting that he highly regards the development of China-Portugal relations, Xi said he stands ready to work with Rebelo de Sousa to set the course for an ever-deepening China-Portugal comprehensive strategic partnership, better benefit the two peoples, promote a sound and steady development of China-eu relations, and contribute to world peace, stability, and prosperity.
Rebelo de Sousa said that despite the long distance, Portugal and China have always gotten along and maintained friendly exchanges in political, economic, cultural, social, and other fields.
Rebelo de Sousa said that bilateral ties have been thriving since the establishment of diplomatic relations and that the two countries have successfully achieved the smooth handover of Macao, worked together to boost the development of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and actively carried out multilateral cooperation.
Rebelo de Sousa added that Portugal is ready to make joint efforts with China to carry forward the bilateral friendship and promote greater development of bilateral relations.