China Portugal photo:VCG
Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel is expected to begin his visit to China on Monday, marking the first European foreign minister to visit China after the two sessions. Experts say the visit could inject fresh momentum into China-Portugal relations and contribute to advancing China-EU ties, particularly amid shifting transatlantic dynamics and Europe's ongoing economic challenges.
At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel will visit China from Monday to Friday. During the visit, the two foreign ministers will hold the second China-Portugal strategic dialogue at the foreign ministers' level, announced the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Noting that Rangel will be the first European foreign minister to visit China after the two sessions, Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a press briefing on March 21 that this round of China-Portugal strategic dialogue at the foreign ministers' level will be the first face-to-face dialogue of its kind between the two countries, which is conducive to stepping up communication and coordination, and implementing the important understandings between the two leaders.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Portugal comprehensive strategic partnership. China stands ready to work with Portugal to deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance friendly exchanges, conduct high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and promote the sound and steady development of China-Portugal and China-EU relations, Mao noted.
Cui Hongjian, a professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, believes the visit by Rangel holds significance as he's the first European foreign minister to visit China after this year's two sessions.
China and Portugal had previously had discussions on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and now bilateral relations have evolved more mature to further push forward such discussion. Cui identified agriculture and new energy as promising sectors, while highlighting that green and digital transitions—priorities for European industry which align well with China's direction. Portugal can leverage its economic characteristics to explore both trade and industrial cooperation with China in that regard, Cui noted.
Zhao Junjie, a senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, added that boosting tourism may be a focus for Rangel's trip. Portugal is a country rich in cultural and tourism resources, but due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the broader political climate between China and Europe, the number of tourists from both sides has significantly declined in recent years, which has resulted in considerable losses for Portugal.
In addition, Portugal, as Europe's "land's end," holds strategic port resources. Therefore, the two sides can discuss cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly the Maritime Silk Road, to enhance connectivity and economic development, Zhao told the Global Times.
Rangel is scheduled to begin his official agenda on Tuesday in Beijing with a meeting with Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, followed by a meeting with Wang Yi, macaubusiness.com reported, citing a press release by the Portuguese Foreign Ministry.
On Wednesday and Thursday, he will attend the "Boao Forum for Asia 2025" in South China's Hainan Province, an annual conference aiming to promote and strengthen economic exchange, coordination, and cooperation between Asia and the wider world. Rangel is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, according to the statement.
The final day of his trip will be spent in the Macao and Hong Kong SARs, where he will representatives of Portuguese associations, educational institutions, and business leaders, as well as visit the Portuguese School of Macao. He will also meet the Chief Executive of Macao SAR Sam Hou Fai.
Cui said that from a broader perspective, Rangel's visit will also boost China-EU relations, which are at a stage where both sides have substantial room for progress in addressing shared challenges.
Europe is currently navigating a volatile environment, with domestic policy shifts and external strategies under pressure. There is growing reflection on the "de-risking" policies of recent years, as facts proved that such protectionist moves have failed to achieve the intended goals.
