On November 6, 2010, visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with his Portuguese counterpart Anibal Cavaco Silva in Lisbon. The two heads of state agreed to make joint efforts to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between their countries.

Both China and Portugal boast ancient civilizations and have made great contributions to human progress, Hu said, noting that the smooth settlement of the Macao issue has set an example for other nations to tackle issues left over from history through friendly consultations. The two countries suffer no conflict of fundamental interests, their peoples cherish friendly feelings toward each other, and their relations have been growing steadily, he added. The Chinese side, Hu stressed, appreciates Portugal's adherence to the one-China policy and its efforts to promote relations between China and the European Union (EU).

Since China and Portugal established diplomatic relations 31 years ago, development of bilateral ties has demonstrated that the two sides should treat their relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective and stick firmly to the right direction for its further advancement, Hu said. Both countries should also understand and support each other's major concerns and enhance mutual political trust, while further expanding practical cooperation in various fields on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win progress to consolidate the foundation of their relations, he added.

Silva, for his part, extended the warmest welcome for Hu's state visit, and hailed the time-honored ties between Portugal and China, which he said were based on mutual respect. The successful settlement of the Macao issue has created favorable environment for Macao's social and economic development, he said. Macao has since served as a bridge between China and Portugal as well as other Portuguese-speaking countries, and the forthcoming third ministerial conference of the Forum for Economic and Commercial Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macao is a proof of that, said Silva.

Hu said that against the backdrop of a complex and volatile international situation, China and Portugal need to make concerted efforts to further boost their comprehensive strategic partnership to better benefit their peoples. In a four-point proposal, Hu firstly expects the two sides to strengthen mutual political trust and strategic cooperation by maintaining high-level exchanges and enhancing dialogue and cooperation between governments, legislatures and political parties of the two countries. Meanwhile, China is confident that Portugal will continue to play an active and important role in securing a healthy and steady development of China-EU relations, he said. Secondly, he called upon the two sides to boost economic cooperation and try to double bilateral trade by 2015. He said China is ready to explore with Portugal ways to upgrade China's economic and trade cooperation with other Portuguese-speaking nations. Efforts should be made to enhance the level of economic and trade cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries through the Forum for Economic and Commercial Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. Thirdly, Hu suggested that the two sides should step up people-to-people and cultural exchanges and further deepen the friendship between the Chinese and Portuguese peoples. The two sides should make full use of their rich cultural resources to carry out diverse cultural exchange programs so as to bring China-Portugal friendship closer to the publics of the two countries, he said. Fourth, the Chinese president also proposed that both countries should beef up cooperation on international affairs and jointly contribute to the construction of a harmonious world. China values Portugal's important influence on regional and global issues, and is ready to conduct better communication and coordination with Portugal in the UN and other multilateral organizations. Both sides should enhance consultations on economic recovery, UN reform, climate change and other global matters and international hotspot issues in order to jointly promote world peace and development, Hu said.

Silva agreed with Hu's proposals on furthering bilateral ties, calling the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in 2005 a milestone in Portugal-China relations. Currently, the strategic mutual trust between the two countries has been deepening, and their trade and economic cooperation is developing smoothly, Silva said, adding that he wishes both sides to further tap the potential to enhance trade and investment with each other, and expand pragmatic cooperation in various fields. Portugal is willing to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation with China as well as with any third party, Silva said. Silva congratulated Hu on China's vigorous economic growth momentum and its successful holding of the 2010 Shanghai Expo. He also spoke highly of China's crucial role in boosting world peace and development, and its positive contribution in fighting the global financial crisis and promoting the recovery of the world economy. Portugal expects to see China play a more important role in such issues as the reform of the international monetary system and climate change, he said. Portugal, taking the opportunity of its recent election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is willing to strengthen cooperation and coordination with China in coping with global challenges, said Silva, who also pledged his country's efforts to boost relations between Europe and China.

The Portuguese leader said that President Hu's ongoing visit is of great importance, and will surely push ahead cooperation between the two countries in a variety of fields and turn a new page of bilateral ties.

Prior to the talks, Hu laid a wreath at the tomb of the famed Portuguese poet Luís de Camões and attended a welcome ceremony held by President Silva. President Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing had a courtesy meeting with Silva and his wife.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly met the press.

On the evening of the same day, Hu attended a welcome banquet given in his honor by Silva.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above activities.