Portugal expects to boost personnel cooperation with China

Visiting Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio told Chinese students in Beijing on January 13 that Portugal expects to enhance exchanges and cooperation with China in culture and higher education.

Sampaio, who is on an eight-day state visit to China as guest of Chinese President Hu Jintao, made the remarks in a speech at the Communication University of China Thursday morning.

He said Portugal also expects to increase personnel exchanges with China.

In his speech, titled "Portugal, European Union (EU) and China", he said the exchanges between Portugal and China dates back to 1500s. The mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples has been continuously deepened, he said.

Sampaio said smooth settlement of the Macao issue by the two countries has set an example for countries in dealing with history-left issues. "Portugal and China demonstrated not only their political maturity but also a shared commitment to modern political and diplomatic cooperation based on law," he said, expressing his satisfaction.

Sampaio brought 120 entrepreneurs along with him to China. He said it fully demonstrates Portugal values its trade and economic ties with China and expects more cooperation in the future.

On EU's arms embargo on China, he said Portugal supports EU to lift the embargo as soon as possible.

Sampaio also attended a signing ceremony of an agreement to setup a Portuguese language center in the Communication University of China.

He hoped Portugal and China will enhance youth exchanges and send more students and teachers to each other's country.

Source: Xinhua