Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao said China and Portugal could boost co-operation in marine resources and renewable energies, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Mr Li’s remarks were made on Monday in Beijing in a meeting with a Portuguese delegation headed by Carlos César, President of the Socialist Party of Portugal.

“China and Portugal established the all-round strategic partnership 10 years ago [and] the bilateral relations have seen rapid development,” Mr Li was quoted saying.

He added he hoped the two sides could “maintain the momentum in terms of high-level contacts and tap into the potentials of co-operation in the areas of marine resources, environmental protection and renewable energies”.

Mr Cesar said his party – the second largest party in the Portuguese parliament – considers it important to expand relations with China, as “China’s growth is in the interest of Portugal”.

Two Portuguese Government officials have made separate visits to China this month, seeking to boost bilateral co-operation.