Portuguese Ambassador to China José Augusto Duarte has expressed appreciation of what he called the “enormous support” that China gives to economic development and social stability in Portugal.

Mr Augusto said in an interview with state-owned China Radio International that since 2011 China had become an important source of foreign direct investment in Portugal.

He said the Sino-Portuguese relationship would be warmed by what China did for the economy and society in Portugal.

Rapid economic development in China had made a “conspicuous contribution” to the world, Mr Duarte said.