China´s new ambassador to Portugal, Zhao Bentang, vows to keep the “good development” of bilateral ties between the two countries.
Previously director general of the Latin American and Caribbean Business Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Zhao delivered last week his credential letters to the Portuguese president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who complimented the Chinese president, Xi Jinping.
The Portuguese leader said that Portugal and China have a traditional friendship, with frequent high-level contacts and increased mutual political confidence in recent years.
He recalled that the visit of Chinese President, Xi Jinping, to Portugal in 2018 and his visit to China in 2019 promoted bilateral relations to a new level.
Zhao Bentang, who arrived in Lisbon on 27 February, conveyed the greetings of Chinese President, Xi Jinping, to President Rebelo de Sousa and to the Portuguese government and people.
According to the ambassador, after the establishment of diplomatic relations more than 40 years ago, Sino-Portuguese relations have always maintained a good development trend.
Currently, under the guidance of both leaders, the two countries have achieved pragmatic successes under the “Belt and Road” initiative, he added.
