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To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Consul Generals in Shanghai sit down with Eastday reporters to talk about their countries’ friendly ties with China.
Dialogue & inclusiveness forge China-Portugal partnership

Source:english.eastday.com

By:Wu Qiong

葡萄牙驻沪总领事:包容与对话,缔结中葡千里同好

1979年,随着改革开放的号角吹响,中国掀起一股不可逆的开放浪潮;与此同时在亚欧大陆另一端,被誉为“欧洲海滨花园”的葡萄牙也准备加入欧洲共同体,置身于世界舞台上。也正是这一年,中葡正式建交。两个开放国家的相遇,是时代所趋的交汇,也为今后的两国发展带来了前所未有的机遇。

Back in 1979, China began its opening up to the world. More or less at the same time, Portugal, a country at the other end of the Eurasian region, was joining the European Community aiming to positioning itself on the world stage. Since then, China and Portugal have been seeking to strengthen their cooperation in many ways and in various fields, based upon a relationship that dates back as far as 500 years.

The People’s Republic of China and Portugal established diplomatic relations in 1979 and the two countries have been seizing in the recent years every opportunity to forge closer ties.

就在不久前,中国国家主席习近平对葡萄牙进行了国事访问,既巩固了中葡自2005年以来建立的全面战略伙伴关系,也为庆祝两国建交40周年拉开了序幕。回忆起两国经历的历史性时刻,葡萄牙驻上海总领事伊萨瓦(Israel Saraiva)难掩心中的激动。

Last December, the Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a State Visit to Portugal, which not only contributed to consolidating the comprehensive Strategic Partnership established by the two countries in 2005, but also marked the beginning of the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Portugal and China. At that occasion, several agreements and protocols in various fields were signed between the two parties.

Recalling the main historic moments between Portugal and China, Israel Saraiva, the Consul General of Portugal in Shanghai shared his enthusiasm about the growing potential of the relations between China and Portugal.

(葡萄牙驻上海总领事伊萨瓦 Israel Saraiva, Consul General of Portugal in Shanghai)

中葡友谊源远流长 A long history of the bilateral relations

如果从1513年葡萄牙商人首次来华开始算起,中葡交往已有500多年的历史。建交后,伴随着高层互访,两国关系历久弥新,当前正处于历史最好时期。在伊萨瓦看来,投资、贸易和旅游是两国关系的重要增长点,尤其是近年来成绩亮眼。

Sino-Portuguese exchanges date back around 500 years. After the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979, the pace of high-level visits between the two countries has been intense and the bilateral relationship has reached new heights. According to Mr. Saraiva, investment, trade and tourism have been instrumental in China and Portugal’s relationship in recent years.

葡萄牙是欧盟内第一个向外国资本完全开放的国家,现已是中国资本在欧洲的主要投资对象国。伊萨瓦告诉我们,中国的国有和私营企业在葡萄牙的银行、保险、基础设施和能源业有大量投资。2011年,三峡集团收购了葡萄牙电力公司(EDP)的股份;2012年,中国国家电网公司成功获得葡萄牙国家能源网公司25%股权;成立于上海的复星集团近年来也在葡萄牙的银行、保险、医疗生态系统等领域投资发力。而中方的投资,也着实帮助了葡萄牙走出债务危机的阴影,步入稳定复苏的通道。相比于40年前两国建交初期,伊萨瓦说:“中国企业在葡的投资总额增长显著!”

Portugal is a major destination for Chinese investment in Europe. China’s state-owned and private companies have been investing greatly Portugal, in various sectors. In 2011, for instance, the China Three Gorges Corporation acquired a portion of the shares of EDP (Energias de Portugal) and, in 2012, China State Grid successfully acquired 25% of REN (Redes Energéticas Nacionais). The private Fosun Group founded and based in Shanghai, has also invested in Portugal such as in banking, insurance, and health care ecosystems over the past years. The Chinese investment has helped Portugal during the financial crisis and, compared to 40 years ago, the total Chinese investment in Portugal has increased significantly, Mr. Saraiva mentioned.

(伊萨瓦接受东方网记者采访 Mr. Saraiva interviewed by Eastday at the Consulate General of Portugal in Shanghai)

作为欧洲第一个为电动汽车建设完整充电基础设施的国家,葡萄牙有领先的电动汽车电池技术,而中国有着从柴油车向电动车转型的成功经验,所以,伊萨瓦希望,未来能有更多中国公司投资葡萄牙的电动汽车行业。

The successful Chinese experience to move gradually in the automotive industry from petrol to electric should be an opportunity for Portugal as the country detains potential and know-how in the electric field. Our expectation is therefore that Chinese investors could set up in the near future an industry in Portugal in the electric automotive field, Mr. Saraiva underlined.

在旅游方面,葡萄牙虽是一个人口仅1000万的欧洲小国,却有着绝美的海陆风景,是欧洲访问量最大的国家之一。特别是近两年,入境葡萄牙的中国游客数量呈爆炸式增长态势。2017年全年共有25.7万名中国游客访问葡萄牙,比2016年增长40.7%。

In terms of tourism, especially over the past two years, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Portugal has increased considerably. In 2017, around 257,000 Chinese tourists visited Portugal, an increase of 40.7% over 2016.

海陆空全方位互联互通 Further connectivity

尽管分处亚欧大陆东西两端,中葡两国却有着共同的目标:致力于促进亚欧互联互通,希望两大洲联系更加密切。中葡自16世纪起便通过海上丝绸之路建立联系,贸易发展的互惠互利加深了两国相互了解和信任。2018年,葡萄牙又成为首个与中国签署共建“一带一路”谅解备忘录的西欧国家。伊萨瓦认为,葡萄牙加入“一带一路”朋友圈对促进亚欧互联互通有着重要意义,也有助于使“一带一路”倡议更好地对接欧洲。

Though geographically located at both ends of the Eurasian continent, China and Portugal have shared a common goal to promote the connectivity between Asia and Europe so to bring the two continents closer.

Since the XVI century, the two countries have established contacts through the Maritime Silk Road and the bilateral trade over many centuries has enhanced mutual understanding and trust.

During the afore mentioned State Visit of President Xi Jinping, Portugal and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In Mr. Saraiva’s view, Portugal’s participation in the BRI is of great significance to promoting Asia-Europe connectivity and aligning this work with the efforts by and the commitments taken by the European Union.

伊萨瓦还提到:“葡萄牙总统德索萨非常期待参加今年4月26日至27日在北京举行的第二届‘一带一路’国际合作高峰论坛。”

The Consul General of Portugal further added in this regards that the Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is very much looking forward to participating in the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation that will take place in Beijing on 26th and 27th of April this year.

(葡萄牙锡尼什港愿成为“一带一路”欧洲枢纽 The Port of Sines in Portugal is willing to become the BRI’s European hub.)

位于葡萄牙西南部的锡尼什港(Port of Sines),将会成为两国“一带一路”建设的首先发力点。锡尼什港拥有优越的吞吐量,是欧洲最重要的深水港,有望成为“一带一路”欧洲枢纽。“它不仅可以作为亚欧大陆的有效连接点,也可以充当从欧洲到拉丁美洲和非洲的贸易平台。”伊萨瓦对锡尼什港的战略地位引以为豪。“由于历史和语言原因,葡萄牙与巴西、拉丁美洲、非洲,以及安哥拉、佛得角、几内亚比绍、莫桑比克、圣多美和普林西比等葡语系国家都有着各种重要的联系。因此,葡萄牙是中国在‘一带一路’框架下的重要伙伴,不仅因为我们地处欧洲,也因为我们和许多拉丁美洲和非洲国家有天然的语言联系。”

A priority of the cooperation under the BRI is the Port of Sines, which is located some kilometers south of Lisbon. As one of the most important seaports in Europe, it could fairly easily become the initiative’s European hub. “It is a very important connection for the BRI, not only because it links Asia to Europe very efficiently, but it is also a very important platform to link all trade from Europe to Latin America and to Africa,” Mr. Saraiva explained. “Due to its history and language, Portugal has various important ties with Latin America (as with Brazil) and with Africa and with the Portuguese speaking countries as Angola, Cape Vert, Guiné Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé & Principe. Therefore, Portugal is a very important partner for China within the BRI.” The Portuguese Consul General further added.

为促进两国交往,中葡正创造更多互联互通的可能。伊萨瓦说,除了传统的陆上和海上丝绸之路,“我们还要开辟空中通道,在两国间开通直航,加速两国间的商业、文化和经贸交流。”

Thanks to the excellent relations between Portugal and China, many more possibilities should be explored to strengthen even further the cooperation between China and Portugal and their people. “We want to have connectivity through different means. Direct flights between China and Portugal are instrumental and both sides are working closely to that aim,” Mr. Saraiva mentioned.

中葡两国向世界开放A window open to the world

伊萨瓦于2018年9月履新葡萄牙驻沪总领事,上任不久就见证了中国如何以包容的姿态来迎接对外开放——首届中国国际进口博览会。回忆起葡萄牙参展商和组展机构的反馈,伊萨瓦说:“好得不能再好,他们对进博会的收获感到十分满意。”进博会期间,葡萄牙农业、林业和农村发展部部长路易斯·桑托斯也来到上海,与中国农业部长和海关关长进行会谈,推进葡萄牙对华出口猪肉协议的签订。

The new Portuguese Consul General took the post in September 2018. Soon after his arrival here, Mr. Saraiva has witnessed how China is embracing the world namely through the first China International Import Expo (CIIE). The feedback from Portuguese exhibitors and trade agencies which participated in the CIIE was very positive, he said. The Portuguese official delegation to the CIIE was led by the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Luís Capoulas Santos. Minister Capoulas Santos not only attended the official diner hosted by President Xi Jinping and opening ceremony of the CIIE, but also had two bilateral meetings with both the Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) and the Minister of Agriculture of China. These two meetings were instrumental to conclude successfully the negotiations to allow Portugal’s pork export to China, Mr. Saraiva indicated.

(去年11月,葡萄牙农业、林业和农村发展部部长路易斯·桑托斯来沪参加进博会开幕式。Portugal’s Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Luís Capoulas Santos, attended the first CIIE in Shanghai.)

得知中国将进一步开放经济、改善外商在华投资环境,伊萨瓦称这是“非常明智的决定”。葡萄牙对此表示欢迎和振奋,因为这将吸引更多的葡萄牙投资进入中国。“不论是习近平在进博会开幕式上的主旨演讲,还是他的2019年新年贺词,都透露了中国改善投资环境的决心。”

China’s commitment to further opening up its economy and improving the investment environment to foreign investors is very welcomed in Portugal and by Portuguese investors, Mr. Saraiva said. “I believe the steps that have been taken by the Chinese authorities - and have been mentioned by President Xi Jinping at the CIIE’s official opening ceremony and at his New Year’s address - are very important signs that China is determined to provide conditions so that foreign companies, including Portuguese companies, can thrive in China,” Mr Saraiva further underlined.

今年是澳门回归20周年,中葡友好关系的发展为澳门的平稳过渡创造了良好条件。伊萨瓦说,事实上,葡萄牙一直强调澳门不是殖民地,希望通过透明包容的对话来解决澳门问题。“在此,我想引用习主席的一句话,‘两国通过友好协商妥善解决澳门问题,树立了国与国解决历史遗留问题的典范。’”

2019 also marks the 20th anniversary of Macao’s retrocession to China.

The development of China-Portugal relations created favorable conditions for the smooth handover of Macao. Portugal has always underlined that Macao never was a colony and that the retrocession of Macau to China should be worked out through transparent and inclusive negotiations, as it eventually happened.“As President Xi Jinping said during his State Visit to Portugal this last December, China and Portugal have properly resolved the question of Macao in 1999, setting an example for other nations as the way some situations left over from history should be tackled through friendly negotiations,” Mr Saraiva reminded.

总领事总结道,对话和包容始终是两国外交的核心所在。“交得其道,千里同好。”迈入21世纪,两国共建“一带一路”,也在国际上树立了彼此开放包容、相互尊重的典范。

As a Chinese saying goes, a partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance. Mr. Saraiva believes that inclusiveness and dialogue are at the core of Diplomacy and that that has been instrumental to strengthen the diplomatic relations between China and Portugal. Both countries’ commitment to the BRI has set a further example of inclusiveness and mutual respect.“Inclusiveness and dialogue are important at the international stage, and the way China and Portugal have been cooperating is also showing others a way forward; we do believe that confrontation does not have a part in international relations,” Mr Saraiva underlined.

“在国际舞台上,包容和对话至关重要,中国和葡萄牙也正是以此方式告诉世界:我们不希望对抗,因为我们坚信,对抗在处理国际关系中没有任何帮助。”谈到这里,伊萨瓦也对中美贸易摩擦提出了自己的看法,他依然相信,通过对话协商可以找到解决的办法。“除欧盟以外,中美是世界舞台上两个极其重要的国家,希望两国共同努力,达成可持续和持久的妥协,只有这样,世界经济才能蓬勃发展。”

On the current China–US tensions, Mr. Saraiva added “We do want both countries to work together. They are two very important countries on the international stage, along with the Europe Union. We hope China and the US can come to a sustainable and long-lasting compromise in the coming future,” Mr. Saraiva concluded.

(伊萨瓦祝东方网网友们新春快乐,阖家幸福,身体健康,猪年大吉。Mr. Saraiva wishes Eastday readers a happy Chinese New Year of the Pig.)


Story by Wu Qiong

Video by Xu Yiran

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Consul Generals' New Year Greetings

Executive producers: Zhao Xiaolei, Cao Jun

Reporters: Wang Jiaye, Wu Qiong, Zheng Qian, Lu Yukun, Xu Yiran

Designers: Wei Zhengdian, Jin Kunyao