Vice President Zeng Qinghong met in Beijing Wednesday with Portuguese Defense Minister Luis Amado, pledging to further promote relations between the two countries and the two armed forces.

 

Zeng said China-Portugal ties have entered a new phase since Portugal returned Macao to China, with frequent high-level visits, constant friendly exchanges, and fruitful cooperation in the political, economic, trade, science, technology, cultural and military fields.

 

The Chinese government attaches importance to developing friendly cooperation with Portugal, and is ready to work with Portugal to upgrade the relations between the two countries and the two armed forces in line with the principles of mutual respect, seeking common ground while respecting differences, equality and mutual benefit.

 

Amado spoke highly of the progress achieved in bilateral relations between Portugal and China.

 

Portugal and China have decided to establish an all-around strategic partnership, Amado said, believing that the two countries would promote cooperation in various fields, including the defense sphere, in an effort to push forward the development of bilateral ties.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2006)