Beijing – During a meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro in Beijing on Tuesday, President Xi Jinping emphasized the necessity of strengthening communication and deepening cooperation between China and the European Union amid growing global complexities and uncertainties, reports 24brussels.
Prime Minister Montenegro’s visit to China, occurring from September 8-10, 2025, marks his inaugural official trip to the country. He is set to engage with Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhao Leji.
Xi stated that China is eager to collaborate closely with Portugal in multilateral initiatives aimed at safeguarding the free trade system and promoting a more equitable global governance structure, as reported by state news agency Xinhua.
How does Xi see China-EU ties in turbulent times?
“The more turbulent and intertwined the international landscape becomes, the greater the need for China and Europe to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, and deepen cooperation,”
the Chinese leader proclaimed.
Xi expressed his expectations that Portugal would uphold and bolster the partnership between China and the EU, facilitating sustainable, stable, and healthy development in their bilateral relations.
Xi indicated that the world is once again undergoing significant upheaval and transformation. He reiterated China’s readiness to work closely with Portugal through multilateral engagement, aiming to promote true multilateralism, endorse the authority of the United Nations, and contribute to a balanced global governance structure.
When did the former PM Costa visit China?
Former Prime Minister António Costa visited China from October 8-12, 2016. During that trip, he met with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People and attended the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, traveling to Beijing, Shanghai, and Macao.