Jose Socrates, prime minister of Portugal, will pay an official visit to China from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu announced in Beijing Thursday.

"We believe the visit will further enrich the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership and deepen our friendly cooperation in various fields," Jiang said.

According to Jiang, Socrates will hold talks with Wen and meet with Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo and Vice President Zeng Qinghong during his stay in Beijing.

Socrates will also visit Shanghai and Macao Special Administrative Region, the spokeswoman said.

"China thinks highly of this visit as this will be his first visit to China since he took office as prime minister," Jiang said.

As Portugal will assume the rotating presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2007, China is willing to work with Portugal in stepping up political dialogue and cooperation in major international affairs, Jiang said.

Source: Xinhua