Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio starts his eight-day China
trip on Tuesday at the invitation of Chinese President Hu
Jintao.
The main purpose of the visit is to reinvigorate bilateral
economic ties and expand cooperation in trade, investment and
tourism, Sampaio told Xinhua News Agency in an interview before his
departure.
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Sampaio will visit Beijing, Shanghai and Macao during his trip,
accompanied by Economic Activities and Labor Minister Alvaro
Barreto, Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities Minister
Antonio Monteiro and a delegation of more than 100 business
people.
Representatives of the two countries expect to sign new accords
on economic cooperation and discuss proposed agreements in the
areas of science, technology and culture.
The visit, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the
establishment of full diplomatic relations and the fifth
anniversary of Macao's return, reflects the good political ties
between
Portugal and China, said Sampaio.
Portugal plans to set up a consulate in Shanghai to boost the
development of business, trade and tourism.
Sampaio visited China in 1997 and was present at the Macao
handover ceremony in 1999.
(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2005)