Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates jointly sign the Joint Statement on Strengthening Bilateral Relations between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Portuguese Republic in Lisbon

On December 9, 2005, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held talks with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates in Lisbon. Both sides decided to establish bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in a bid to push for all-round and in-depth development of bilateral relations.

Wen said that both sides established diplomatic ties relatively late, but bilateral relations have always been developing smoothly. The successful resolution of the Macao issue through negotiations between both sides reflects the spirit of mutual trust and accommodation, consultations and cooperation and has become common precious treasure of the two countries and their people. Recent years have witnessed frequent exchange of high-level visits, rapid development of economic and trade relations, continuous expansion of exchanges in the areas of culture, education, science & technology and judicature and sound communication and coordination in the UN and other international organizations. It can be said that bilateral relations have entered the best period since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Wen pointed out that the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing relations with Portugal. The establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between both sides is an important decision of strategic significance that both sides have made by facing the future. In the next stage, both sides should focus on doing a good job in the following aspects to push bilateral relations for continuous, steady and sound progress. First, both sides should enhance exchanges between their governments, parliaments, parties and local and social organizations at all levels, strengthen communication and coordination in bilateral relations, as well as major international and regional issues and jointly commit to safeguarding world peace, eliminating poverty and promoting development.

Second, both sides should give a role to their economic and trade mixed committees and entrepreneurs' committees, encourage businesses to expand the market of the other side, step up efforts in two-way investment, adjust and optimize trade mix, cultivate new growth points of bilateral trade and try to double the trade volume within 3 years. Third, both sides should expand exchanges in the area of humanities, promote cultural exchanges and deepen language teaching cooperation so as to bring along bilateral cooperation in culture, tourism and other areas. Fourth, both sides should utilize the platform of the "economic and trade cooperation forum between China and Portuguese-speaking countries" to give play to their respective advantages in the areas of infrastructure construction, resources exploitation, telecommunications, personnel training and medical health, jointly conduct cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries, promote economic development and social progress of all nations and realize mutual benefits. Fifth, both sides should strengthen cooperation within the framework of the EU and contribute to greater development of China-EU relations.

Socrates noted that bilateral political relations remain sound, Portugal attaches great importance to bilateral relations and to develop relations with China is a priority direction of Portugal's foreign policies. To declare the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership between both sides is of great historic significance and opens broad prospect for the future of bilateral relations. Portugal would like to make joint efforts with China to continuously enrich the connotations of bilateral relations, strengthen cooperation in the areas of investment, trade, education, culture and tourism and conduct economic and trade cooperation in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Socrates reaffirmed that the Portuguese government resolutely pursues the one-China policy, for which Wen expressed appreciation. Both sides also exchanged in-depth views on China-EU relations and other international and regional issues. Following the talks, Wen and Socrates signed the Joint Statement on Strengthening Bilateral Relations between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Portuguese Republic and attended the signing ceremony of 9 documents on judicial assistance, investment protection, health cooperation and other aspects. Later both sides jointly met with the journalists.