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LISBON, Dec. 5-- China and Portugal pledged Wednesday to jointly push forward the construction of the Belt and Road to strengthen Asia-Europe connectivity and boost global trade. The consensus was reached during a meeting between visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa. After the meeting, the two leaders also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the governments of the two countries on jointly advancing the construction of the Belt and Road. During the meeting, Xi said that since Prime Minister Costa's official visit to China two years ago, the important consensuses reached between the two sides have been translated into concrete results of cooperation, as two-way trade is showing sound momentum of growth and the investment cooperation in key areas is making smooth progress. The China-Portugal relations are entering the best period in history and presented with new opportunities for development, Xi said. China is willing to work with the Portuguese side to elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level, the president said. For the next phase, Xi noted, the two sides should increase high-level visits as well as exchanges at all levels and in all areas, and work together to push for more practical results through jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, thus playing a positive role in strengthening Asia-Europe connectivity. | 
