Welcome to the Official page of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic

I want to express my thanks for the gracious hospitality with which my Wife and I, as well as my retinue, have been welcomed in Shanghai. The State Visit that I am beginning today is comprised in the celebrations of the 35 years of diplomatic relations between the Chinese People’s Republic and Portugal. It is propitious that, when beginning this visit, I am able to enjoy, at this time, in Shanghai, such a valuable programme in political, economic, cultural and scientific issues.

This fabulous city performs a crucial role in the common objective of stimulating the bilateral relations between Portugal and China.

In this process, the opening of the Consulate General in Shanghai, in 2006, materialized the clear stake that Portugal placed in this city and in its metropolitan area. The growth that, since then, has been showed in the presence of Portuguese companies, of trade and of investment flows deserves being pointed out. A better dissemination of Portugal in the 21st century doubtlessly led to a greater cooperation at several levels.

Nowadays, the cooperation between Portuguese companies and research centres in Shanghai is significant. Also existing is an intense interchange of students and researchers and full cooperation between universities. An increased interest has surged in Portuguese language and culture, with an ever greater number of students. Shanghai’s population has shown an increasing interest in Portuguese cultural presentations. The twinning of the cities of Shanghai and Porto, in its turn, is an additional linking factor with Portugal.

The Shanghai Expo 2010, carried out under the topic “Better City, Better Quality of Living”, brought global visibility to Portugal as an example of innovation and good environmental practices, areas in which Portugal has excelled. The Portuguese pavilion was, in effect, distinguished with the prize for design and architecture attributed by the International Bureau of Exhibitions and by the nearly five million persons that visited it.

Mister Mayor,

It is with the greatest of pleasures that I return to Shanghai. This is today a vastly different city from that which I visited, twenty years ago, as Prime Minister of Portugal. What I view today is a huge project which was shown me, “in draft” by the then authorities. Processes of this size demand enormous determination and a strategic vision. Shanghai demonstrated it has such capabilities.

Following the common wish to deepen human, entrepreneurial and institutional bonds between Portugal and China, I have full confidence in the determination of the authorities and in the interest of Shanghai’s people. On the Portuguese side we will fulfil whatever may be necessary to achieve this.

It is in this spirit that I ask you all to join me in a toast to His Excellency the Mayor, Yang Xiong, and to the central role of the city of Shanghai in the strengthening of the relations between our two countries.

Thank you very much