Both parties have resolved the Macau issue through friendly negotiations. Portugal is also the first Western European country to sign the "the Belt and Road" cooperation document with China, the first EU country to establish a "blue partnership" with China, and the first Eurozone country to issue RMB bonds. In recent years, significant achievements have been made in cooperation between the two sides in the fields of energy and finance, benefiting both peoples and setting an example of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes among countries with different social systems and national conditions. Montenegro said that the relationship between Portugal and China has a long history, and "we have also maintained close contact and cooperation on many occasions, and share common values. Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao said on the 9th that this was Montenegro's first visit to China since he took office last April. During the 3-day trip, he visited Beijing and Macau successively. The media generally believes that the visit of the Portuguese Prime Minister is a signal of the steady development of Portugal China relations. Jiang Feng, a researcher at Shanghai International Studies University, told Global Times reporters on the 9th that the stable relationship between China and Portugal provides solid support for easing some problems between China and Europe and promoting positive development of cooperation between the two sides.
Both sides should continue the traditional friendship, trust and support each other
Both parties have resolved the Macau issue through friendly negotiations. In recent years, significant achievements have been made in cooperation across various fields, setting an example of mutual respect and win-win outcomes among countries with different social systems and national conditions. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal. China is willing to strengthen strategic communication with Portugal, grasp the correct direction of bilateral relations, and make China Portugal relations even better, so as to make greater contributions to the prosperity and progress of the two countries and the world through unity and cooperation. Both sides should continue the traditional friendship, trust and support each other. Deepen the alignment of development strategies, expand pragmatic cooperation in innovation, green, marine, pharmaceutical and other fields, give full play to Macao's unique bridging role, make good use of mechanisms such as the China Portuguese speaking Countries Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, and achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win results. Encourage exchanges in the fields of culture, education, tourism, and scientific research, and deepen cultural exchanges. The more turbulent and intertwined the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe need to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, and deepen cooperation. I hope that Portugal will work together with China to adhere to the positioning of China Europe partnership and promote the sustained, stable and healthy development of China Europe relations.
The world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, and humanity is once again standing at a crossroads in history. China is willing to closely cooperate with Portugal in multilateral cooperation, jointly practice true multilateralism, uphold the authority of the United Nations, maintain the free trade system, and promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system.
Montenegro stated that Portugal China relations have a long history and are oriented towards the future. The two countries have resolved the Macau issue through friendly consultations. The successful practice in Macau over the past 25 years fully proves that the Portuguese government made the right decision back then. The Portuguese side will continue to adhere to the One China policy and will not forget the valuable support and assistance provided by China during the most difficult period of the Portuguese economy. China is an irreplaceable partner of Europe, and Portugal is willing to play an active role in promoting the healthy and stable development of EU China relations.
Portuguese radio and television station reported that Montenegro stated on the 9th that in recent years, Portugal and China have deepened cooperation in energy, finance, health, water conservancy and other fields. "We firmly believe that the two countries will continue to promote these cooperative developments on the basis of mutual trust.
Portugal's Diplomatic Tradition
Li Qiang stated that currently, unilateralism and protectionism seriously undermine the international order. As the two major forces in the world, China and Europe should strengthen coordination and jointly respond. We hope that Portugal can promote and guide the EU to adhere to its position as a partner between China and Europe, adopt an active and pragmatic policy towards China, and work together with China to safeguard free trade and common interests between China and Europe.
According to the Portuguese government website, officials accompanying Montenegro's visit to China include Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Minister Ranieri, Minister of Economy and Land Integration Almeida, Minister of Environment and Energy Carvalho, and others.
On the 8th, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Ranieri in Beijing and stated that China and Portugal had successfully resolved the Macau issue through negotiations, setting an example of peaceful resolution of disputes. The current international situation is turbulent and intertwined, and the global governance deficit is worsening. Countries need more dialogue, understanding, and cooperation. On the same day, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with Almeida and stated that the current international economic and trade order and multilateral trade rules are facing severe challenges. China, Portugal, and China Europe should firmly support the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization as its core, injecting more stability and certainty into the world economy.
Portuguese media emphasized the uniqueness of this visit and stated that the last time a Portuguese Prime Minister visited China was in 2016 when Costa visited. In addition, Portuguese President de Sousa visited China in 2019. Portuguese media quoted government sources as saying that Montenegro's visit to China is part of Portugal's "diplomatic tradition".
On the 9th, Macau News Network reported that Montenegro's visit to China also included laying wreaths at the Monument to the People's Heroes and signing bilateral documents. According to the website of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Montenegro will visit Macao from the 9th to the 10th, and the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Cen Haohui, will meet with him.
Stable Sino Portuguese relations can play a positive role in China Europe relations
Zhao Bentang, the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, published a signed article in the Portuguese media Economic Daily in April this year, stating that according to data from the Portuguese central bank, China's direct investment stock in Portugal reached 3.959 billion euros in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 9.33%, maintaining positive growth for 14 consecutive years and increasing by 4.5 times in the past decade; According to the final investment destination calculation, China's investment stock in Portugal in 2024 is 12.105 billion euros. China is the sixth largest source of investment for Portugal, and Portugal is one of the EU countries with the highest per capita acceptance of Chinese investment. Currently, Chinese companies operating in Portugal have served over 90% of the Portuguese population.
Bloomberg has reported that although some European economies are wary of Chinese investment and concerned about over reliance on Beijing in key industries such as automobile manufacturing, Portugal is not one of them, and the country's major political parties are rolling out a "welcome red carpet" towards China. For example, earlier this year, a Chinese enterprise announced a $2.2 billion investment in Portugal to build a lithium battery factory, which the Portuguese side believes will help create jobs, strengthen the country's position in the global automotive supply chain, and enhance investors' confidence in Portugal.
Bloomberg believes that Portugal is one of the most investment friendly countries within the European Union towards China. Chinese enterprises hold significant stakes in Portugal's energy, finance, and other fields. Last year, Portugal chose to abstain from the EU vote on imposing tariffs on Chinese made electric vehicles. The report states that Portugal, like Hungary and Spain, is seeking more cooperation with Beijing and is also a significant member state within the European Union.
According to a report by Macau News Network on the 9th, multiple media outlets have stated that the visit of the Portuguese Prime Minister to China is seen as a signal of the steady development of Sino Portuguese relations in the context of the ongoing changes in the internal situation of the European Union. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal. Both sides believe that this opportunity will help deepen mutual trust, expand cooperation in trade, green development, culture, and other fields, and strengthen coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations. Analysts believe that this visit is expected to inject new momentum into bilateral relations and broader China Europe relations.
Currently, there are internal differences within the EU regarding the issue of China. Professor Cui Hongjian from the Institute of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University told Global Times reporters that Montenegro's visit reflects Portugal's independent and constructive stance. Stable Sino Portuguese relations can also play a positive role in broader China Europe relations by promoting genuine multilateralism.
Jiang Feng, a researcher at Shanghai International Studies University, told Global Times reporters that China Portugal relations not only help to stabilize China Europe relations, but also enhance the influence of the EU's internal support for cooperation with China. Portugal's endorsement of China's proposed global governance initiative is also worthy of attention. As important forces in global governance, China and Europe should work together to address various risks that disrupt the global order, and jointly promote more just and effective international rules.
Global Times reporter Bai Yunyi, Pan Xiaotong, Feng Fan Global Times special correspondent Yu Jian
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