Chinese, Portuguese FMs meet on ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Tuesday held talks with Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Minister Paulo Portas.

"China and Portugal are good friends of mutual trust," said Yang, noting bilateral relations had continued to progress under the joint efforts of both sides.

China is ready to expand friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation with Portugal in the spirit of solidarity, he said.

Yang said China attaches great importance to the relations with the European Union (EU) and hopes to enhance cooperation with the EU, so to push forward the development of China-EU ties.

Portas said China plays an important role in the international affairs.

Portugal appreciates China's development achievements and always gives diplomatic priority to its relations with China, said Portas.

He welcomed more Chinese enterprises to invest in Portugal, noting that Portugal is willing to further advance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership and thereby promote the comprehensive development of EU-China ties.

The two sides also exchanged views on European debt crisis and hotspot issues of common concern.

Portas is in China on an official visit from June 30 to July 8.