Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with visiting Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 8, 2016. [Xinhua]?

Xi said the Chinese government is encouraging the country's companies to start businesses in Portugal and invest in energy, infrastructure, finance and insurance. He said China supports Portugal's participation in the Belt and Road initiative, and that the two sides should deepen cooperation in maritime scientific research and port construction.

Costa will attend the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries in Macao on Tuesday.