“China is now at a remarkable level of technological development and is a major driving force,” said Portugal's Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Speaking about the progress achieved under China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Almeida said he was deeply impressed. “I first visited China twenty years ago, returned ten years ago, and most recently two weeks ago, and the difference in the level of development is striking,” he noted.

Regarding Chinese investment, Almeida stressed that Portugal attaches great importance to it and that the Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade maintains regular and positive contacts with potential Chinese investors.

Almeida concluded by stating that Portugal is willing to remain a stable and reliable partner of China in Europe and to expand cooperation with the country in the fields of scientific research, talent training, and industrial investment.

(Source: XINHUA Portuguese, on October 16)