Interview: Portuguese president eyes stronger Portugal-China ties

LISBON, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva said that relations between Portugal and China will become stronger in the future in many domains on the basis of trust, cooperation and mutual respect.

In an interview with Xinhua before his departure for an official visit to China on Sunday, Cavaco Silva said that political relationship between Portugal and China is excellent, based on trust, cooperation and mutual respect while commercial and cultural relations between the two countries also strengthened in the past few years.

"There are increasingly more Portuguese companies doing business and commercial transactions with Chinese companies, and there are increasingly more Chinese companies interested in doing business with Portuguese businessmen and in investing in Portugal," he said.

The Portuguese president said, "I also want to highlight the increase in relationships between universities, there is more scientific cooperation and we have seen a rise in the exchange of students and researchers, there are scientific projects developing simultaneously with Portuguese universities and Chinese universities."

Cavaco Silva spoke highly of the economic and social development in Macau after it returned to China's sovereignty in 1999.

"Macau has experienced a strong economic growth, social development and political stability," he said. "That's the best proof that the choice made in the joint declaration and transcribed for the basic law was the right choice."

Cavaco Silva signed a joint declaration on the return of Macau to Chinese sovereignty in Beijing in 1987 as Portugal's prime minister at the presence of late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.

On relations between the EU and China, the Portuguese president said that China is a trustworthy partner and relations between the EU and China are mutually beneficial.

"Portugal has always defended the reinforcement of relationships between the European Union and China," he said.

"Commercial disputes between the European Union and China are not beneficial for either sides," he said. "And when they emerge, they have to be solved through dialogue, negotiation, in an open and constructive manner."

"China can be sure that Portugal will act within the EU in a friendly way with respect to China. We are a constructive partner and a friend of China and we know how beneficial it is for the EU to deepen commercial and investment relationships with China," he added.

He said that Portugal would like to receive more Chinese tourists who will appreciate the Portuguese hospitality, the gastronomy and the Portuguese culture.

Cavaco Silva said China has experienced great changes in the past two decades since he last visited China in 1994 as Portuguese prime minister.

He added that he had great interest in discovering a new China after 20 years of rapid development and there is no doubt that China will manage to confront the complex problems that arise during its development with success.

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