By Zhao Jiaming
Portugal has been an important hub of the land and marine Silk Roads since ancient times, witnessing its historic friendship with China.
China’s blue and white porcelain, which was first shipped to Portugal centuries ago, inspired a fusion of Chinese and local techniques, producing a unique form of art Azulejo. Portuguese custard tarts baked by Chinese pastry chefs have become a new delight for Chinese consumers.
Stories like these reveal the common aspiration of the people for peace, cooperation, openness and win-win results throughout history.
Currently, China-Portugal relations are at the best time in history. The two countries have held frequent high-level exchanges, continuously enhanced political mutual trust, and comprehensively carried out practical cooperation in various fields. Over 300,000 visits are exchanged between the two countries every year.
The year 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, and their bilateral relations are facing historic opportunities.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa noted that Portugal is willing to take the historic opportunities to actively participate in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, enhance strategic alignment of the two countries, expand openness and cooperation, and accelerate common development.
He also stressed that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to his country would expand the prospect of Portugal-China cooperation and create a brighter future.
Portugal is the final stop of Xi’s Europe and Latin America tour during which his footprints have spanned Eurasia and been left in the banks of the Atlantic Ocean.
Renewing friendships, negotiating cooperation, and advocating for development, Xi expounded on the Chinese persistence in reform and opening up, peace and development, as well as win-win cooperation, and contributed to the building of a community with shared future for mankind. As a result, the Chinese President received wide approval from the international community and attention from global media.
Xi’s visits were regularly broadcasted by local TVs. Spanish King Felipe VI called the Chinese president’s visit to Spain a new and important milestone; President of Argentina Mauricio Macri shared multiple achievements of Xi’s visit to Argentina with his major officials; President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela noted that Panama will stick to the one-China policy and expressed his recognition of Xi’s major proposals such as the building of a community with shared future for mankind.
Portugal’s Cabo da Roca is a cape which forms the westernmost extent of continental Europe. The ancient silk trade once left its mark there. It is believed that today’s friendly and win-win cooperation between China and Portugal will set sail again and usher in new chapters.
扬帆远航 谱写华章
人民日报记者 赵嘉鸣
自古以来，葡萄牙就是陆海丝绸之路的重要枢纽，也是友好历史的见证者。从古老的中国青花瓷漂洋过海来到葡萄牙，同当地瓷器制作技术相融合，形成了独具魅力的“葡萄牙蓝”，到今天中国厨师烘焙出的葡式蛋挞成为中国老百姓新的美食选择，葡萄牙和中国的一段段情缘，揭示了古往今来人们对和平、合作、开放、共赢的共同愿望。
当前，中葡两国关系正处于历史最好时期。两国高层往来频繁，政治互信不断加强，各领域务实合作全面展开，每年双向人员往来超过30万人次……明年是中葡建交40周年，两国关系正面临历史性发展机遇。葡萄牙总统德索萨说，葡方愿抓住历史性机遇，积极参与共建“一带一路”，加强葡中发展战略对接，加深开放合作，加快共同发展。他还强调，习近平主席对葡萄牙的国事访问定将开辟葡中合作更广阔前景，创造更辉煌未来。
葡萄牙是此次习近平主席出访的最后一站。一路走来，习近平主席的足迹跨越亚欧大陆、到访大西洋两岸。习近平主席叙友谊、谈合作、倡发展，阐释中国坚持改革开放，坚持和平发展、合作共赢理念，为推动构建人类命运共同体凝聚共识，受到国际社会普遍赞誉和各国媒体广泛关注。到访国电视台新闻频道滚动播发习近平主席到访的消息和画面。西班牙国王费利佩六世说，习近平主席的访问“是一个新的重要里程碑”；阿根廷总统马克里同主要阁僚分享了习近平主席访阿取得的多项成果；巴拿马总统巴雷拉表示，巴拿马坚定奉行一个中国政策，赞同习近平主席提出的构建人类命运共同体等重要理念……
葡萄牙西部的罗卡角是欧洲大陆最西端，古老的丝绸贸易曾经在这里留下历史的印记，今天的友好合作、发展共赢扬帆远航、谱写华章。
