Chinese President Hu Jintao says China values the development of bilateral ties with Portugal

Hu Jintao made the remarks during a meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes while on a stopover in the city of Porto en route to his four-nation tour of Latin America.

He praised Portugal's adherence to the one China policy and expressed eager anticipation for Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio's visit to China in January next year.

The Portuguese Prime Minister showed appreciation of China's economic achievements and said he hoped the two countries will deepen cooperation in all fields.

He said his government will encourage domestic enterprises to invest in China and participate in the preparation of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Shanghai Expo.

Hu Jintao will leave Porto for Brazil Thursday, the first stop in his four-nation tour which also includes Argentina, Chile and Cuba.

(CRI November 11, 2004)