China and Portuguese-speaking countries should work together to forge “mutually beneficial” ties, said Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Huang Songfu.

His comments came in a meeting last week with Murade Murargy, Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), according to a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Lisbon.

Mr Huang was quoted saying Portuguese-speaking countries offer a “huge” overall market and “abundant resources”. Both sides “should start pragmatic cooperation that is mutually beneficial and promotes mutual development,” he added.

Mr Murargy stated he was “satisfied” with the achievements so far of this cooperation, adding that Portuguese-speaking countries “look forward to maintaining close relations with China”, according to the Chinese Embassy statement.

Trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries totalled US$132.58 billion in 2014, increasing by 0.85 percent from previous year, official figures show.