The upcoming visit by President Jorge Sampaio of the Portuguese Republic to China is "very important" and will lift Sino-Portugal relationship to a new high,Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said Thursday.

At the invitation of President Hu Jintao, Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio will pay a state visit to China from Jan. 11 to Jan. 17.

Kong told a regular press conference that China and Portugal have made outstanding achievements in every field of cooperation over past years. The two nations have coordinated and cooperated very well in international organizations, such as the United Nations, he said.

"I am convinced that the two sides will use this high-level visit to make an all-round, in-depth review and appraisal of the friendly ties between the two nations," Kong added.

"More importantly, the two sides will draw a good outline for future to lift their relationship to a new high in new period," the spokesman said.