Reported by Xinhua News Agency: China and Portugal Joined Hands for 45 Years, Injecting New Vitality into Global Prosperity and Stability
2024-06-13
Since the official exchange of the Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Portugal in Paris in 1979, the two countries have walked side by side for 45 years. Looking back, China and Portugal have a history of over 500 years of communication; Nowadays, the two countries are expanding cooperation in different fields, and bilateral relations are steadily developing. On the evening of June 11th, Portugal's National Day and the 500th anniversary commemoration of Carmens' birth were held in Guangzhou. Vice Governor Zhang Shaokang of Guangdong Province, Consul General Ana Cordeiro of the Consulate General of Portugal in Guangzhou, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Congress Li Xiaoqin, Consuls General of multiple countries in Guangzhou, as well as Chinese and foreign friendly individuals from the fields of economy, trade, and culture attended the event. At the event, "2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal and the 25th anniversary of the sovereignty return of Macau to China. This process has witnessed mutual trust and openness between the two countries. In recent years, high-level visits between China and Portugal have also demonstrated the strong vitality of the relationship between the two countries." Anna Cordero, Consul General of the Consulate General of Portugal in Guangzhou, stated in her speech that Guangdong Province is one of the most important and dynamic provinces in China's overall economic performance, and the consulate is willing to continue to deepen economic and commercial partnerships with southern provinces of China. She emphasized that taking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal as an opportunity, Portugal will continue to promote cooperation and contacts between the two countries, and further deepen their historical friendship. Consul General Anna Cordero's speech. Zhang Shaokang, Deputy Governor of Guangdong Province, first extended sincere holiday greetings and best wishes to Consul General Anna Cordero and all Portuguese friends working, studying, and living in Guangdong. He said that over the past 45 years, China and Portugal have adhered to the concept of mutual respect, openness and inclusiveness, properly resolved the Macao issue through friendly consultations, reviewed the situation and established a comprehensive strategic partnership, jointly responded to the international financial crisis and global public health challenges, expanded mutually beneficial cooperation among enterprises, and worked together to build the "the Belt and Road", jointly promoted the development of China EU relations, and achieved important results in the maintenance of multilateralism in various fields of cooperation, which vividly explained the correct way of getting along between countries. At present, Guangdong is taking high-quality development and promoting the construction of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area as a guide, striving to promote Chinese path to modernization. He sincerely hoped that Guangdong would continue to work with its Portuguese partners to jointly build the "the Belt and Road", jointly welcome the development opportunities of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, and jointly create a better future for mankind. After Vice Governor Zhang Shaokang delivered his speech, all the guests on site raised their glasses and toasted to celebrate, with laughter and joy filling every corner of the venue. This event is specially held on the the Pearl River cruise ship. As night falls, guests stroll leisurely with the evening breeze, enjoying landmarks such as the Liede Bridge, Guangzhou Tower, and Haixinsha, as well as the colorful scenery of buildings on both sides. The brilliant and bustling scenery reflects the festive atmosphere and highlights the unique charm of Guangzhou. It also indicates that the close cooperation between China and Portugal will usher in a more friendly and prosperous future. The land stops here, and the sea begins here. Carmens, known as the "poetic soul" of Portugal, once described this land in this way. In 1513, the Portuguese explorer Jorge Alvarez and his five ships docked in the the Pearl River Delta, becoming the first European to arrive in China by ship, marking the beginning of bilateral exchanges. For over 500 years, the friendship between China and Portugal has continued to deepen and become stronger over time. Portugal is an ancient maritime country, the starting point of the ancient Maritime Silk Road in Europe, and an important hub connecting the Land Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road. Portugal is the first Western European country to sign the "the Belt and Road" cooperation document with China, and the first EU country to officially establish a "blue partnership" with China. The exchanges between Guangdong and Portugal have a long history, and the current practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results. In 2023, the total import and export volume between Guangdong and Portugal was approximately 9.563 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.67%, accounting for nearly 1/6 of the total trade volume between China and Portugal. The cultural exchanges between the two countries are also trending towards diversification and deepening, with continuous growth in two-way personnel exchanges between China and Portugal. According to a reporter from Xinhua News Agency, 55 universities in China have opened Portuguese language majors, and more and more Chinese students are choosing to further their studies in Portugal. In Portugal, 5 Confucius Institutes and 2 Confucius Classrooms have been established in various regions, which plays an important role in helping local people learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture; In 2018, with the launch and operation of the first Luban workshop on the European continent - the Luban Workshop in Portugal, the exchange of talents, education, and technology between China and Portugal collided to create a more brilliant modern spark. In addition, multiple cultural activities such as the "Chinese Bridge", "Happy Spring Festival", Portuguese language seminars, and Portuguese cultural exhibitions were held in both countries, receiving warm welcome from the Chinese and Portuguese people, and attracting more and more young people from China and Portugal to become participants, inheritors, and promoters of the development of friendship between the two countries. Today's world situation at the event site is complex and changeable, but with the in-depth docking of the "the Belt and Road" initiative and China Portugal multi field cooperation, the breadth and depth of bilateral cooperation will be further expanded, bilateral relations will certainly emerge new vitality, and China Portugal friendship spanning five centuries will also be determined to contribute an important force to promoting global harmony and prosperity. Consul General Anna Cordaro (center) and Journalists from Xinhua News Agency (left and right) took a group photo as a souvenir/Image of Yi Chunyan, Chen Xinyan, and Luo Tianyu (internship)/Image of Yi Chunyan
Edit：Yi Chunyan, Chen Xinyan, Luo Tianyu(intern) Responsible editor：Li Nian
Source：Outlook New Era
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