The Portuguese Government last week approved a proposal to establish a Consulate-General in the city of Guangzhou, in China’s Guangdong Province, Portugal’s Council of Ministers announced in a statement.

It follows an agreement with the Chinese Government.

In addition to serving Guangdong Province, the proposed Consulate-General will also serve Portuguese interests in, respectively, China’s Hainan, Hunan and Fujian Provinces; as well as that nation’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the statement said.

Portugal’s Council of Ministers noted that China would also have the right to establish a consulate in Portugal, under the “principle of reciprocity”. The location and jurisdictional coverage of that Chinese consulate would be decided via diplomatic talks, it added.

Portugal currently has a Consulate-General in Macao – a facility that also serves Portuguese interests in Hong Kong – and a Consulate-General in Shanghai. In addition, Portugal has an honorary consul in Hong Kong.

Portuguese interests in mainland China are also represented by the European country’s Embassy in Beijing, which also has a consular section.