“As China is a priority in our international relations, it is crucial not to overlook any possible collaboration; hence, China hosts the most AICEP delegations worldwide,” stated Maria Manuel Branco at a seminar on China-Portugal cooperation organized by the Chinese Embassy in Portugal.
The official emphasized the “long history that has always united” the two nations could “foster a successful future,” highlighting Portugal’s keen interest in maintaining a permanent and strategic collaboration with China.
Maria Manuel Branco also expressed the intent to “continue consolidating the economic and investment relationship that has been growing through strategic and committed partnerships across various sectors.”
Furthermore, she pointed out that Portugal and China can jointly excel in strategic areas like renewable and green energy, digitalization, electric mobility, health, and technological innovation.
Hugo Carneiro, a PSD deputy and president of the Portugal-China Parliamentary Friendship Group, also participated in the seminar, supporting the idea that Portugal and China aim to “continue their strategic relationship for the future.”
Carneiro noted that economically, China is undergoing a “period of technological dynamism” in sectors where Portugal “can learn and collaborate,” advocating that investment should be a “two-way street.”
Besides Chinese investment in Portugal, the country should also “encourage Portuguese companies to view the Chinese market as an opportunity.”
The social-democrat deputy argued that “Portugal holds a strategic advantage with the Port of Sines due to its Atlantic location,” suggesting it “can play a more significant role,” for instance, in the circulation of goods from China.
“It is a logistic asset that can be better utilized,” he argued.
Carneiro stressed that Portugal and China “have known each other for a long time,” and today this relationship “can be a decisive advantage.”
Pedro Portugal Gaspar, president of AIMA, attended the seminar, noting that the Chinese community, numbering around 30,000, is “historic” and already “rooted in Portugal.”
“It did not just arrive; it has a long-standing tradition in Portugal, which enhances its integration capacity,” he remarked.
