Premier Wen Jiabao meets with Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio

On December 9, 2005, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met with Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio in Lisbon. Both sides made positive comments on bilateral relations and agreed to push for their all-round cooperation in various areas.

Wen said that bilateral relations have been developing smoothly and both sides have trusted each other in the political area, conducted continuous exchanges between their governments, parliaments and non-governmental organizations and kept closer contact in various areas. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has scored gratifying achievements and greater efforts have been put on two-way investment with the business of some prestigious enterprises in the other side increasingly rapidly. China is delighted with these achievements and will continue opening market to Portugal and offering support and facilitation for Portuguese businesses to invest in China.

Wen indicated that since its return to the motherland 6 years ago, Macao's cooperation with Portugal in various areas has been further enhanced. Macao's successful holding of the "economic and trade cooperation forum between China and Portuguese-speaking countries" and the "meeting of presidents of supreme courts in Portuguese-speaking countries and regions" has promoted exchanges and cooperation between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries. It is believed that as a link for China-Portugal friendship and important platform of friendly cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, Macao will continue playing its positive role.

Wen pointed out that China cherishes bilateral traditional friendship and attaches great importance to developing the friendly relations of long-term stability and comprehensive cooperation. The joint statement to be issued soon between both sides declares the establishment of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, which will open broader prospect for the development of bilateral relations. China would like to work with Portugal to push for their all-round cooperation in various areas that will cover the areas of politics, economy & trade, science & technology, culture, judicature and health more widely in a bid to bring benefits to both peoples.

Sampaio indicated that Portugal is satisfied with the development of bilateral relations and resolutely commits to developing them. Premier Wen's visit to Portugal shows the great importance China attaches to Portugal and the exchange of visits between leaders of both sides has sown seeds for the development of bilateral relations, which China expects will blossom and bear fruit. The establishment of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership marks the substantive progress of bilateral relations and is of great significance. He hoped that both sides will further advance exchanges in the areas of politics, economy & trade, education and culture and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.

Sampaio also made positive comments on the achievements Macao has scored.