Chinese vice premier urges closer cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries

English>>Foreign Affairs

Editor's Pick

Chinese vice premier urges closer cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries

(Xinhua) 08:16, November 05, 2013

Email|Print|Comments

twitter

facebook

Sina Microblog

MACAO, Nov. 4 -- Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang said here Monday that he hoped Portuguese-speaking countries would work with China to push forward bilateral cooperation by taking advantage of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, an inter-governmental multilateral cooperation mechanism.

Wang made the remarks when he met with leaders of some of these countries, who are here to attend the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the forum.

In meeting with Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau Rui Duarte Barros, Wang said China is always devoted to developing cooperation between the two countries and will continue to support Guinea-Bissau's efforts for lasting peace and development, adding the two countries could strengthen their mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of agriculture, fishery, mining and human resources.

Barros said his country is eager to further develop relations and strengthen strategic cooperation with China in various fields so as to tap the development potentials of Guinea-Bissau.

While meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal Paulo Portas, Wang said China and Portugal will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations next year, and the two countries should seize it as a major opportunity to increase two-way investment and deepen cooperation in agriculture, technology and other fields.

Portas said Portugal attaches great importance to the strategic partnership with China and will further promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Portugal will work to enhance cooperation and exchange between Portuguese-speaking countries and China via the forum.

Wang hailed the rapid development of relations between China and East Timor since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 11 years ago when he met with Deputy Prime Minister of East Timor Fernando de Araujo.

He said China is willing to continue to promote exchanges between the two countries in various levels, push forward the cooperative projects in agriculture, infrastructure and personnel training, and encourage Chinese companies to participate in the building of infrastructure and development of energy resources in East Timor.

Araujo said his country will continue expanding practical cooperation with China for further development of bilateral relations.

The Chinese vice premier also met with Vice President of Brazil Michel Temer and the two leaders exchanged views on strengthening China-Brazil ties under the framework of the form.

The forum, slated for Monday through Wednesday, consists of an anniversary celebration conference, the Ministerial Conference and a series of bilateral meetings, in which documents on trade and economic cooperation for 2013 to 2016 will be signed.

Inaugurated in 2003, the forum aims at strengthening economic relations and cooperation between China and the Portuguese- speaking countries with Macao playing an important role of a platform between them.