An official of the Portuguese Foreign Ministry has said his country is looking forward to more Chinese investment in manufacturing and other industries that face international competition, Plataforma reports.

The website quotes the official, Eurico Brilhante Dias, as saying so in an interview given in advance of the visit to China next week by Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva.

“We really would like Portugal to be not only a gateway into Europe for China,” the report quotes Mr Dias as saying.

He said the Chinese could make their investments in Portugal more diverse, and contribute to Portuguese industries that show promise but need more capital.

Portugal would like to develop industries associated with the automobile industry, so giving opportunities for big Chinese manufacturers, Plataforma quotes Mr Dias as saying.