Mayor of Lisbon Fernando Medina has said relations between Portugal and China are strong and growing in importance as the years go by, the People’s Daily reports.

The Chinese Communist Party newspaper quotes Mr Medina as saying in an interview that the introduction of direct flights between China and Portugal means more investment in tourism, and that his city is endeavouring to seize the opportunities arising from this.

The report says the year after next is the 40th anniversary of Sino-Portuguese diplomatic relations, and that Mr Medina said Portugal would try to make it “a special year”.

Mr Medina visited China this month, the People’s Daily says.