‘I'd like to say to Portuguese entrepreneurs that China is very big, with a market of 1.4 billion inhabitants, but don't be afraid, because the presence of Portuguese products is important because they have value for the market,’ said Zhao Bentang, China's ambassador to Portugal, on the programme Economia Sem Fronteiras (Economy Without Borders) on the Now channel.

For Zhao Bentang, if Portugal needs Chinese products, China also needs Portuguese products, and he gave the pig as an example. Zhao Bentang emphasised that half of Portugal's pork exports go to China. ‘Black pork is a meat that is very well received in China, as is olive oil, wine and now beer.’

Zhao Bentang also said that ‘China has good conditions, a very favourable business environment for foreign investors and traders. We have policies that encourage and protect them.’ In addition, the Chinese market has great potential for development and offers many opportunities, provided that ‘Portuguese entrepreneurs unite, strengthen themselves and collaborate with the Chinese side, which allows them to enter China without a problem’.

(Source: Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal, on 14 March)