Chinese President Xi Jinping says his country wants to strengthen its strategic partnership with Portugal through its Belt and Road initiative, Reuters reports.

The news agency quotes Mr Xi as saying so in an article he wrote for a Portuguese newspaper, Diário de Notícias.

“Portugal is an important link between the maritime and land Silk Road, and therefore there are natural advantages to Chinese-Portuguese co-operation on the Belt and Road initiative,” Mr Xi said.

He said this could lead to co-operation in the businesses of automobiles, renewable energy, finance and port construction.

Mr Xi added the two sides should also develop “blue economy” cooperation through research and investment.

The president said the Sino-Portuguese relationship “transcends time and distance and is a partnership looking to the future”.

Mr Xi begins tomorrow a two-day visit to Portugal, the last stop of a tour which includes visits to Spain, Argentina and Panama.