"We don't need to choose between the EU & China. We need to work with everyone"

CGTN Europe spoke to Bernardo Mendia, Secretary-General of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Transcript

00:00Let's talk now to Bernardo Mundia, the Secretary-General of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

00:06Bernardo, welcome to see you, good to see you.

00:08What were the main objectives for this visit from Portugal's perspective?

00:14Well, thank you very much.

00:15First of all, the main objective is to establish personal contact.

00:21It's absolutely fundamental that the leaders of different countries, and now we're saying Portugal,

00:30that know the President Xi Jinping personally so that they can make their own evaluation of who is President Xi Jinping.

00:40And, of course, then again, there is always the economic part of it.

00:46It's also very important for Portugal to have a good relation.

00:49As you know, and I finish quickly, I'm sorry to say so many things in a row,

00:54but as you know, Portugal has had a presence in Macau for almost 500 years,

01:00and we still have a big Portuguese community in Macau,

01:04and so this historical tie with China is deep through Macau.

01:10Where does this relationship go next in terms of expectations and prospects?

01:16Well, one must say that it was not only the Prime Minister of Portugal.

01:23He was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Economy and the Minister of Energy and Environment.

01:31So, if you consider the three ministries that were accompanying,

01:38I would say that the direction will be precisely there.

01:41At the economic level, at, of course, the political level, because the Minister of Foreign Affairs is also there,

01:47and then energy and the environment, which are fields where China is developed,

01:57and the green transition, the decarbonization are very important for Portugal.

02:03Portugal is also very much developed, technologically wise,

02:07in the energy, renewable energy, and so these are areas that can show us the way forward.

02:18And when you talk to your members in the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce,

02:23what signals are Portuguese businesses in China picking up from this visit?

02:28Well, first of all, this type of visit is very important because some of the dossiers that are standing by,

02:39they tend to be concluded during these important political meetings.

02:44So, we're hopeful that they were finalized, and also, it sends a signal that there is understanding between leaders,

02:55and that is very positive for the economic relationship as well.

03:01Will Portugal have to choose between the EU's rather skeptical relationship with China

03:07and what looks like a very warm relationship with China?

03:11Yeah, no way, they don't need to, we don't need to choose.

03:16We need to work with everyone, in the benefit of everyone as well.

03:22It will be beneficial for Europe if Portugal has a very,

03:27and if the Portuguese leader has a very good relationship with the Chinese leader.

03:31And so, this will be very good, the same way that it is helpful for China,

03:37that Portugal is one member of the European Union,

03:43and also has an important presence in the Portuguese-speaking countries and relationship.

03:48Bernardo, thank you very much indeed for coming on the program.

03:51Bernardo Mendia, the Secretary-General of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

03:56Bernardo Mendia, the Secretary-General of the Portugal and Industry.