Premier Li Keqiang met with visiting Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva on May 16, pledging to strengthen bilateral cooperation and upgrade the two countries’ partnership.

During the meeting, Li commended China-Portugal relations and the foundation of bilateral cooperation, noting that the two state leaders achieved fruitful results through talks held on May 15.

China is ready to take the opportunity of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations to upgrade the two countries’ partnership through deepened political trust and closer all-around cooperation.

Li congratulated Portugal on its success in coping with the international financial crisis and re-emerging on the international market for capital raising.

Premier Li Keqiang (4th R) meets with Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva (2nd L) in Beijing, capital of China, May 16, 2014.[Photo/Xinhua]

The two nations are facing new opportunities, Li said, adding that China is willing to expand the scale of bilateral trade and investment, and strengthen cooperation in marine exploitation, new energy, agriculture and fishery industry.

China supports the two countries’ enterprises to join together for developing a third-party market outside the two nations, Li added.

Silva said Portugal and China had resolved historical problems of Macao through friendly consultation, which set an example for the world.

He thanked China for its assistance in his countries’ efforts in fighting the international financial crisis.

Portugal is willing to work with China to develop a third-party market, expand bilateral cooperation and make arrangements for the forum for economic and commercial cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to achieve common development, Silva said.