Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates met Wang Zhaoguo, visiting vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), on Tuesday, and they exchanged views on how to further strengthen bilateral ties.

 

Socrates said his country attaches great importance to its relations with China and hopes to promote the bilateral ties to a higher level.

 

Portugal is willing to work with China to implement the joint declaration on the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen and broaden the cooperation in economy and trade, said the prime minister.

 

Portugal would continue to adhere to the one-China policy, Socrates said.

 

Wang praised the development of Sino-Portuguese ties, saying that China was willing to further promote with Portugal the comprehensive development of the cooperation in politics, economy, culture, education and science and technology.

 

The political mutual trust has been constantly deepened after the two countries established the comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang noted.

 

The cooperation in economy, trade and social and cultural areas has been constantly improving, he added.

 

In international affairs, the two countries have also maintained good coordination and cooperation, the Chinese official said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 7, 2006)