The improvement of trade relations between China and Portugal, taking advantage of “excellent” political relations, is a key goal shared by the ambassadors of both countries.
During an online seminar called “Promotion of the 5th edition of China International Import Expo (CIIE), the Portuguese Ambassador to China, Jose Augusto Duarte (pictured above), said that the political understanding between the two countries has always been excellent.
“China is always ready to listen and help Portugal, even in this difficult world context,” said the Portuguese diplomat.
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According to Portugal´s top diplomat in Beijing, it is now necessary for the two countries to work to “equilibrate the trade balance,” which in his view should “better correspond to the size of political cooperation.”
“The organization of this CIIE event, which is the largest in the field of exports, is especially important to increase and enhance trade,” Duarte added.
Speaking at the same event, the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Zhao Bentang said that Portuguese companies are “very welcome” to the immense Chinese market, and the embassy will “provide all necessary assistance,” to these companies.
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Zhao added that the two countries “have always maintained friendly and cooperative relations, and the two economies are highly complementary”.
China is a “large market for products with the protected origin and high added value,” especially Portuguese wines, olive oils, and fruits, Zhao emphasized.
The ambassador highlighted that China has “sent a clear message to the world” that the country has “open doors,” and that China shares with Portugal “the same desire for cooperation at a high level.”
The Portuguese exhibition area will be expanded at the 5th edition of CIIE, which will be hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai.
In 2021, the event was attended by nearly 3000 exhibiting companies from 127 countries and regions, and was visited by around 480,000 people.
The fair is divided into three segments: the Hongqiao Forum economic congress, national institutional pavilions, and a business exhibition divided into six sectors: food and agricultural products, automobiles, consumer goods, medicine and health, information technology, and trade in services.
