Wang calls for ‘more stable, fruitful and dynamic relationship’
Staff Reporter, Xinhua, FMPRC
BEIJING – Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Foreign Minister, held the second China-Portugal Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue with Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel in Beijing yesterday.
Wang underlined that China and Portugal have a fine tradition of mutual respect and support, which is the fundamental reason for the long-term and stable development of China-Portugal relations and the political guarantee for the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations.
The two sides used political wisdom to properly resolve the Macau issue and set an example for resolving historical issues through friendly consultation, Wang said.
Last year, Wang underlined, China and Portugal jointly celebrated the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. President Xi Jinping and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa exchanged congratulatory messages and highly praised the successful practice of the development of bilateral relations. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal, and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. China is willing to work with Portugal to build a more stable, fruitful and dynamic China-Portugal relationship, and make China and the EU strategic partners of mutual trust and achievements.
Wang introduced the development of China’s economy, saying that the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have recently set a full-year economic growth target of around 5.0 percent, and clearly stated that China will steadily expand institutional opening-up, and orderly expand independent and unilateral opening-up. Chinese-style modernisation is one of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation for all countries, which will provide greater opportunities for Portugal and other countries in the world. Portugal is one of the EU countries that receives the most Chinese investment per capita, Wang pointed out, adding that the two sides uphold the spirit of openness and cooperation, have maintained long-term and stable cooperation in the fields of energy, finance, health and so on, and have worked together to cope with the international financial crisis and global public health challenges, reflecting the due meaning of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Wang added that the two sides should sum up the successful experience of the development of China-Portugal relations, actively expand cooperation in project investment, green transformation, digital economy, innovation and research and development, information and communications, expand people-to-people exchanges, continue to give play to Macau’s role as a bridge, and promote greater development of bilateral relations.
Wang pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. Faced with an international situation characterised by chaos and turmoil, unity and cooperation are the only correct choices for all countries.
The world can only move forward and cannot go back to the law of the jungle where the strong prey on the weak, Wang stressed, adding that China firmly advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalisation. It attaches great importance to the unique role played by Portugal in the EU and on the international stage. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Portugal, firmly uphold and practice multilateralism, firmly safeguard the status and role of the United Nations, and jointly defend international fairness and justice. China views Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world, supports Europe in maintaining its strategic autonomy and is willing to work with the EU to uphold the partnership, expand openness and cooperation, and promote the healthy development of China-EU relations. “We hope that Portugal will play an active role in this regard,” Wang said.
Rangel said that Portugal and China have a long history of exchanges and the relations between the two countries have always maintained good development. The two sides understood and respected each other and properly resolved the Macau issue in a peaceful manner, setting an example for the world. Portugal is deeply proud of this. I am very pleased to see the success of the “One Country, Two Systems” practice in Macau. China is a trustworthy partner. Portugal attaches great importance to China-Portugal relations and firmly adheres to the one-China policy. Chinese investment has played an important role in Portugal’s economic and social development. Portugal, adhering to the spirit of openness, welcomes more Chinese companies to invest and do business in Portugal. Portugal is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of economy, trade, energy, health, finance, infrastructure, green transformation and so on. More and more Portuguese people are learning Chinese and hope to understand China. The two sides can strengthen cooperation in culture and education, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people. Europe and China should adhere to their partnership status, strengthen dialogue and cooperation, jointly oppose protectionism, uphold multilateralism, and support the United Nations in playing a central role in international affairs. Portugal is willing to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China.
The two sides exchanged views on issues of common concern, including the Ukrainian crisis.
Rangel said that he was glad to see the success of the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” in Macau. Portugal attaches great importance to Portugal-China relations and firmly adheres to the one-China policy, Rangel said.
The Portuguese foreign minister also said that Chinese investment has played an important role in Portugal’s economic and social development. Portugal welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of economy, trade, energy, health, finance, infrastructure and green transformation.
Rangel started his four-day official visit to China yesterday. The visit also includes his participation in the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference in Hainan Province. On Friday, the last day of his visit, Rangel will visit the nation’s special administrative regions of Macau and Hong Kong. In Macau he will separately meet with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai and local Portuguese community representatives and visit the Portuguese School. In Hong Kong, Rangel will visit an exhibition on the Portuguese community there.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) shakes hands with Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel in Beijing yesterday. – Xinhua
Foreign Minister Wang Yi (third from right) also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, holds the 2nd China-Portugal strategic dialogue at the foreign ministers’ level with Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel (third from left) in Beijing yesterday. – Xinhua
