A senior official of the Communist Party of China on Wednesday said that China hopes to expand exchanges and communication with young politicians of Portugal.

Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Jose Socrates, who is the incumbent Portuguese prime minister and general secretary of the Portuguese ruling Socialist Party.

Wang said he hopes the CPC and the Portuguese Socialist Party should strengthen exchanges and cooperation so as to make contribution to the sound and stable development of the Sino-Portuguese and Sino-European relations.

China appreciates Portugal's adherence to the one-China policy, Wang said.

Socrates said the Portuguese government sees the development of all-round strategic partnership with China as a great opportunity for Portugal and will make positive efforts to promote bilateral ties.

(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2007)