A Portuguese official stationed in Macao said that the relationship of friendly cooperation between Portugal and the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China will be maintained after the recent presidential election in Portugal.

The reelection of Jorge Sampaio will be favorable to the development of the relationship, Carlos Frota, consul general of Portugal in Macao, was quoted by Wednesday's Macao Daily News as saying.

The Portuguese president has been paying attention to the affairs of Macao and is concerned about Macao's development, Carlos Frota said.

Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan, secretary for administration and justice of the Macao SAR government, is visiting Portugal and is expected to sign an agreement on judicial cooperation.

Carlos Frota said that the governments of Portugal and the Macao SAR will seek more opportunities of cooperation with regard to economic, cultural and medical matters.

He also noted that the friendly relationship between Portugal and China can be strengthened with the mutual visits of senior officials of the two countries.

(People's Daily 01/17/2001)