China and Portuguese-speaking countries should seek ways to strengthen economic and trade cooperation for mutual developments, Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai said in Macao Saturday.

Bo made the remarks when meeting in separate occasions with economic and trade ministers of seven Portuguese-speaking countries who are here to attend the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the Forum on Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries, which will open on Sunday.

He said the forum, which was initiated in Macao in 2003, serves as a good platform for multilateral and bilateral cooperation.

"China cherishes the friendship with Portuguese-speaking countries and would like to make its contribution to the common development," the commerce minister told his counterparts in the meetings.

The ministers from the seven Portuguese-speaking countries are: Angolan Trade Minister Joaquim Icuma Muafumba, Brazilian Executive Deputy Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Iven Ramalho, Cape Verde's Economy, Growth and Competitiveness Minister Joao Pereira Silva, Guinea Bissau's Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Overseas Affairs Minister Domingos Pascoal Batica, Mozambique's Energy Minister Salvador Namburete, Portuguese Public Works Minister Mario Lino and Timor-Laste's Development Minister Arcanjo da Silva.

They said that they were satisfied with the bilateral developments under the forum and hoped that the cooperation will keep its momentum.

Source: Xinhua