The relations between China and Portugal are gaining momentum as both nations celebrate 10 years of strategic partnership this year, said Portugal’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Rui Machete. He made the remarks in an academic conference held in Lisbon on Wednesday, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

“It is with much pleasure that I join this colloquium which, incidentally, takes place during a historic period in which relations between Portugal and China are undergoing a special phase of intensity and momentum,” he said.

China and Portugal have made progress in co-operation on education, language teaching, tourism, energy and science in the past 10 years, the Foreign Minister stated. Chinese companies have been investing in privatisations of public sector businesses in Portugal, including acquisitions in the energy sector by China Three Gorges Corp and State Grid Corp of China.

“The further strengthening of economic relations between Portugal and China is underpinned by the notable role of Portuguese companies, and their process of internationalisation, which makes trilateral co-operation possible,” he noted. According to data from China Customs, in the first three months of this year, the trade between China and Portugal expanded by 10.63 percent year-on-year to US$1.05 billion.

Mr Machete added it was “important” to have direct flights between the two nations to consolidate bilateral ties. Official figures show Portugal received over 113,000 Chinese tourists last year, surging by more than 50 percent from the previous year.