The ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Portugal, Zhao Bentang, visited the municipality of Caldas da Rainha on 3 September.

The diplomat was received by the mayor, Vitor Marques, at the Town Hall, followed by a visit to the Molde ceramics factory. He had dinner at Taberna do Manelvina, a typical Caldas restaurant.

The visit, organized by the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry together with the businessman from Caldas, Paulo Pessoa de Carvalho, reinforced “the importance of the national ceramics industry on the international scene and opened doors to potential collaborations with the Chinese market.”

During the meeting with the mayor, the Chinese ambassador to Portugal expressed interest in future economic and cultural relations between the People's Republic of China and Caldas da Rainha and suggested a twinning agreement with a Chinese city or province.

Vitor Marques also highlighted the importance of the Chinese community in Caldas da Rainha and expressed interest in the opportunity for cooperation with a city or province in China.

(Source: Jornal das Caldas, on September 9)