China and Portugal will increase efforts to strengthen their economic and trade cooperation, officials from the two countries said in Beijing Tuesday.  

Vice Minister of Commerce Zhang Zhigang said at the Fifth Sino-Portuguese Trade Fair that China's economy has developed rapidly since the reform and opening policy was implemented.

China and Portugal have enjoy opportunities for economic and trade cooperation, and the two sides have potential to promote trade and investment exchange, he said.

"We welcome Portuguese entrepreneurs to invest in the west and northeast of China," he said.

Franquelim Garcia Alves, secretary of state of the Ministry of Economy of Portugal, said the Fifth Sino-Portuguese Trade Fair falls during the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and when Portuguese Foreign Minister Teresa Patricio Gouveia is visiting China.

This indicates that the Portuguese government values political, economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation with China, Alves said.

The two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges between trade departments and enterprises, and at the same time to expand cooperation in tourism.

Chinese Customs reports that trade volume between China and Portugal exceeded US$600 million in 2003, an increase of 56.7 percent. China's imports are approaching US$200 million, a jump of 135.5 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2004)