Li Changchun (C), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates in Lisbon, capital of Portugal, March 19, 2007. Li Changchun arrived in Lisbon on Monday on his way to a Latin American trip. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng) Photo Gallery>>>

    LISBON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leader Li Changchun said here Monday that China is ready to advance the all-round strategic partnership with Portugal to a new level.

    Li made the remark during a meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates Monday evening.

    Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, stopped over in Lisbon Monday on his way to a four-nation visit to Latin America. The trip will lead him to Mexico, Venezuela, Suriname and Peru. He will also visit Samoa, a island nation in the South Pacific.

    During his meeting with Socrates, Li said China is ready to join hands with Portugal to substantially enhance practical cooperation in all areas. He said the two countries should respect the concerns of each other and promote their all-round strategic partnership to a new level.

Li Changchun (1st R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, meets with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates (1st L), who is also general secretary of the ruling Socialist Party of Portugal, in Lisbon, Portugal on March 19, 2007. Li stopped over in Lisbon Monday on his way to a four-nation visit to Latin America and Samoa, an island nation in the South Pacific. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)  Photo Gallery>>>

    Li said exchanges and cooperation between the ruling parties of the two countries have played a positive role in advancing the all-round strategic partnership. He said the Communist Party of China is willing to enhance cooperation with the Socialist Party of Portugal by adding new depth and substances to their exchanges.

    Socrates asked Li to convey his greetings to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He said the Portuguese people believe that China is a friend of Portugal. He said the Portuguese government attaches priority of its foreign policy to developing friendship with China. He expressed the wish to continuously add more substances to the all-round strategic partnership between Portugal and China, expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation and enhance cooperation on regional and international issues.

    Socrates, also general secretary of the ruling Socialist Party of Portugal, reiterated that Portugal will continue to stick to the one-China policy.

    Li said China attaches importance to its relations with the European Union. He said China supports the process of integration of Europe and expects the EU to play an active role on the international stage. Li said China is ready to work with Portugal and other EU nations to safeguard world peace, promote common development and realize mutual benefits.

    Socrates said Portugal will make the utmost effort to push forward EU-China cooperation in all areas.

Senior Chinese leader leaves for five-nation tour

    BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, left here Monday morning to pay goodwill visits to Mexico, Venezuela, Suriname, Peru and Samoa.

    Li will pay the visits from March 19 to April 5 at the invitation of the governments of the five nations.