PORTO, Portugal, Sept. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior Chinese leader visited the northern Portugese city of Porto on Wednesday to promote economic cooperation at local levels between China and Portugal.

    Mayor of Porto Rui Rio held a ceremony welcoming Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) who arrived here Tuesdayfor a three-day official good-will visit to Portugal.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Rio said that China was enjoying a sustained socio-economic development with ever-increasing international influence, and he was convinced that Jia's visit will bring about a new opportunity of expanding bilateral cooperation.

    For his part, Jia said Porto was the cradle of the Portugal's ancient civilization and national unification, and the people of Porto have turned the city into Portugal's important economic and cultural center with a modern port.

    With the continuous development of the Sino-Portuguese relations, Jia said, Porto has not only forged friendly ties with Shanghai of China, but also begun cooperation of mutual benefit with other Chinese cities.

    Jia said that he was convinced that with the joint efforts by the two sides, there would be more and more exchanges between Porto and Chinese cities and regions in addition to Shanghai.

    Also on Wednesday, Jia and his entourage visited the Amorim Group, a leading cork processing enterprise in the world. Enditem