The acquisition of hotels and investments in logistics are two areas in which Chinese investment in Portugal may grow, according to the Vice-President of the Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mr Ilídio Serôdio was quoted by Portuguese radio broadcaster TSF ahead of the first Portugal-China Investment Forum, which opened in Lisbon on Tuesday.

Speaking at the forum’s opening ceremony, China’s Ambassador to Portugal Cai Run said relations between Portugal and China were in “the best period ever” as “mutual political trust” has allowed for “more businesses and more business trips” between the two countries, the Jornal Tribuna de Macau reports.

Mr Cai said trade between Portugal and China amounted to 3.7 billion euros (US$3.98 billion) in the first nine months of this year, an increase of 23.5 percent in year-on-year terms.