Chinese PM congratulates PM Costa on new government inauguration

  • Lusa
  • 31 March 2022

Li Keqiang said that in recent years, due to the "joint efforts" of both sides, the "pragmatic cooperation" between Portugal and China in "various fields" has achieved new results.

Chinese prime minister Li Keqiang on Thursday congratulated his Portuguese counterpart, António Costa, on the inauguration of the new government of Portugal, in a telephone conversation, according to a statement issued by the Chinese embassy in Lisbon.

In his congratulatory message, Li Keqiang said that in recent years, due to the “joint efforts” of both sides, the “pragmatic cooperation” between Portugal and China in “various fields” has achieved new results.

“A new chapter has been written in the traditional friendship between the two countries,” Li said, according to the embassy note.

The Chinese premier pointed out that as “trusted partners and responsible members” of the international community, China and Portugal should further consolidate mutual trust, expand cooperation, promote the development of the China – Portugal and China – European Union comprehensive strategic partnership, and actively contribute to the common welfare of China and Portugal.

The XXIII Constitutional Government was sworn in, on Wednesday, at the National Palace of Ajuda, in Lisbon.

In another statement, the Chinese ambassador to Lisbon, Zhao Bentang, said that China “hopes to work with the new Portuguese government to further consolidate mutual political trust, enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and drive new and further development of bilateral relations.”

The statements were made during a virtual seminar, entitled “Portugal’s Recovery Plan and Business Opportunities”, for Chinese companies, which was attended by representatives of the Portuguese government, companies and academics from the two countries.

“Not only do China and Portugal have highly compatible development concepts, but they also face the common tasks of fighting the epidemic, stabilising the economy, safeguarding people’s livelihoods and transforming and improving the economic structure,” Zhao Bentang said.