President
Hu Jintao
met with visiting Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio in Beijing on
Wednesday. The two leaders pledged that their countries will
promote exchange and cooperation in various fields and at all
levels to maximize bilateral ties.
China and Portugal established formal diplomatic ties in 1979
and successfully negotiated the return of Macao to Chinese
sovereignty at the end of the last century. In recent years,
bilateral contacts and exchanges have increased, with trade and
investment rising steadily.
Hu noted that the two countries have also enjoyed sound
cooperation in international affairs. He expressed his appreciation
for Portugal's support of the one-China policy and reunification,
and thanked Sampaio for his country's efforts in promoting
Sino-Portuguese and China-European relations.
Sampaio replied that the steady development of ties with China
and the adherence to the one-China policy are important parts of
Portugal's foreign policy.
China is looking to maintain high-level visits and contacts,
including exchanges between the parliaments and political parties,
and closer cooperation between the foreign ministries and other
governmental departments.
China and Portugal should further enhance coordination and
cooperation in international affairs for the maintenance of world
peace and stability and the promotion of common development, Hu
said.
Meanwhile, to expand economic and trade ties, China will support
domestic and Portuguese companies in exploring new ways to
cooperate.
Hu also suggested that the two nations expand joint activities
in the realms of higher education, science and technology and law
enforcement by supporting language education, increasing the number
of exchanges students, jointly hosting cultural and sports events
and setting up joint laboratories.
The two heads of state also touched upon the topic of the Macao
Special Administrative Region (SAR). Hu said that since Macao
returned to the motherland, all practices have proven that the
principles of "one country, two systems", "Macao people governing
Macao", and "a high degree of autonomy" have been fully implemented
in the region.
Macao remains a hub where West meets East and continues to play
its role as a bridge of Sino-Portuguese friendship and a platform
for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking
countries.
Sampaio noted that the smooth resolution of the Macao issue set
an example for properly settling problems left by history. He also
spoke highly of the achievements made by Macao since 1999.
After the talks, officials from the two countries signed an
intergovernmental agreement on economic cooperation and other
documents.
Some 120 business leaders are accompanying Sampaio on his
eight-day visit to China.
(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2005)
