China and Portugal have witnessed the steady growth of bilateral relations since the forging of their diplomatic ties 25 years ago, said senior Chinese leader Jia Qinglin in Beijing Monday.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks while meeting with Jaime Gama, chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Portugal.

"Friendly relations between the two countries, based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit safeguard exchange and cooperation in various fields," Jia said.

Increasing economic and trade cooperation in recent years has greatly advanced the friendly relations between the two countries, he said.

Jia expressed the hope that Portugal, as an important EU member, will make more contributions to the relations between China and the European Union.

After China resumed its sovereignty over Macao, Macao has become an important channel between China and other Portuguese-language countries, Gama said, and Portugal has always supported the efforts within the European Union to expand the relations between the EU and China.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2004)