On November 7, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates in Lisbon, exchanging in-depth views on furthering comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Hu said that there is a good momentum in the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal, with frequent exchanges of high-level visits and increased mutual political trust between the two countries. Both countries saw a rapid growth in their economic and trade cooperation, fruitful exchanges in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, and the judicial affairs, as well as good coordination on regional and international affairs, he said. China has always looked at relations with Portugal from a strategic and long-term perspective and is willing to foster friendly cooperation with Portugal. Hu urged both sides to respect each other and hold equal consultations in the political area. Both sides should cooperate with each other and make full use of their complementary advantages in the economic sector. He also called on both sides to learn from each other and seek common ground while reserving differences in culture so as to constantly push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Chinese president stressed that pragmatic cooperation between China and Portugal is an important basis for the sustainable development of their bilateral ties. He noted that the two sides should promote their cooperation in the following key aspects. First, tapping cooperation potential to deepen bilateral economic and trade ties. Both sides should bring into full play their joint economic and trade commission and other cooperation mechanisms to provide more cooperation channels and platforms for enterprises of the two countries. China welcomes Portuguese businesses to explore Chinese market and expand the export of Portuguese competitive products to China. China supports expanded mutual investment, technological cooperation and joint research and development of new products between businesses of both countries. China will continue to protect lawful business operations of Portuguese-funded enterprises in China. Second, giving full play to the advantages of the two countries and exploring new areas. Efforts should be made to explore new ways and new areas for expanded cooperation, enhance bilateral cooperation on port logistics, high technology, environmental protection, renewable energy and tourism, and push forward economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries including Portugal. Third, strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges to enhance the bilateral friendship. Both sides should do a good job in the implementation of cultural exchange implementation plans and push forward cultural exchange projects. Both sides should also promote the teaching of Portuguese in Chinese universities and the building of Confucius Institute and strive to conduct youth exchanges. Both sides should strengthen friendly exchanges between research institutions, think tanks and media, expand regional and people-to-people contacts and enrich connotations of bilateral ties. Hu hoped Portugal, as an important member of the EU, can play an active role in furthering the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Europe.

Socrates fully agreed with Hu's remarks on the development of bilateral ties and spoke highly of the strategic significance of Hu's state visit to Portugal. The Portuguese prime minister said that the two countries have a long history of relations and Portugal gives top priority to the development of friendly cooperation with China in its foreign policies. Portugal and China not only have good political ties, but also maintain sound cooperation in other fields, he said. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation faces not only opportunities for development, but some challenges. A series of cooperation agreements signed by both sides demonstrate the depth and width of their economic and trade cooperation. Socrates noted that Portugal is ready to enhance bilateral trade and two-way investment, deepen cooperation on energy, tourism, logistics and transport, and promote cultural and language exchanges with China. The Forum for Economic and Commercial Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries has become an important mechanism for enhancing Portugal-China relations. Portugal is willing to continue to play an active role in boosting economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and make efforts to enhance China's cooperation and exchanges with the European Union. Portugal is ready to work with China to push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership, he added.

Following the meeting, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of relevant cooperation documents and jointly met the press. On the noon of the same day, Hu attended a luncheon given in his honor by Socrates.

Prior to the meeting, President Hu met with the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Portugal and representatives of Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese and Chinese students.

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