China values its friendly ties of cooperation with Portugal as remarkable progress has been scored in economic, trade, cultural and educational sectors, Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), said in Beijing Tuesday.  

He made the remark at a reception here to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Chen said cooperation between non-governmental friendship-promoting organs and local governments between the two nations has also seen ground-breaking development in the past 25 years.

The bilateral ties have been moving steadily forward with frequent exchanges of high-level visits and mutual trust and understanding have been deepened continuously, Chen said.

The two countries' cooperation on international and bilateral affairs has been close, he said, noting Macao's smooth return to the motherland in December 1999 served to lay a solid basis for furthering the China-Portugal friendly ties.

Chen said there are more extensive prospects of cooperation between the two countries as China has scored swift advances in the fields of economy, trade, science, technology, culture and sports.

Portugal Ambassador to China Antonio Santana Carlos spoke highly of China's strenuous efforts in the enforcement of the Sino-Portugese Joint Declaration. He hoped the bilateral relations between the countries would be furthered in the new century.

The reception was co-sponsored by the CPAFFC, the China-Portugal Friendship Association and the Portuguese Embassy.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2004)