Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Cai Run has described his host country as an important player in the Chinese Belt and Road initiative, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese state-run news agency quotes Mr Cai as telling a conference in Lisbon which discussed the Belt and Road scheme: “China values Portugal’s role in the Belt and Road initiative very highly and is willing to proactively push ahead with increased, pragmatic Chinese and Portuguese co-operation under the framework.”

The Belt and Road initiative is meant to improve the infrastructure that connects China with Asia, Europe and Africa, and so increase trade.