“Portugal and China are strategic partners. We have excellent relations in all areas: political, economic and cultural. We have cooperation, we have projects, but not enough. That’s why we came here to study and look for more opportunities, with the aim of expanding and deepening cooperation,” said Zhao Bentang, speaking to journalists.
The Chinese ambassador to Portugal met today with the vice-president of the Regional Government of the Azores, Artur Lima, in Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira island.
Among the projects discussed at the meeting was the setting up of a Mandarin teaching institute on Terceira Island or São Miguel Island, and the holding of a cultural week “so that locals can learn more about Chinese culture”.
Zhao Bentang also highlighted the possibility of strengthening the “export of products from the Azores to China, such as milk and cheese”, the promotion of tourism and the development of aquaculture projects.
“Portugal and China are countries that signed a maritime cooperation and blue economy agreement”, he stressed.
The ambassador defended that there is “a lot of potential” to be explored, stressing that it is possible to “strengthen friendship and cooperation between the Azores and provinces and cities in China”.
Asked about China’s interest in the base of Lajes or in the port of Praia da Vitória, on Terceira Island, Zhao Bentang said that the country does not have a special interest in the Azores, only in cooperation for the development of the region and the “mutual benefit ”.
For the vice-president of the Regional Government, this was a “first step” towards deepening a “partnership relationship, whether scientific, economic or cultural, with China”.
As for commercial relations, Artur Lima considered that there is “very interesting potential”, especially in the export of milk and dairy products.
The vice-president of the Azorean executive also stressed that the Chinese community in the Azores, which comprises around 400 people, is “well integrated in the region”.