Pacts signed on wide range of subjects

China and Portugal signed eight agreements yesterday to strengthen partnership in the fields of the economy, finance, investment, education and extradition.

Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates witnessed the signing of the deals after official talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

According to the agreements, the two countries will set up a working group to promote bilateral investment; and China will establish Confucius institutes and build a sales center for Chinese commodities in Portugal.

Wen told his guest that China is keen to work with Portugal to increase political exchanges, encourage enterprises to raise mutual investment and expand cooperation in nano-micro technology, bio-pharmacy, marine research and modern agriculture.

With Portugal set to assume the six-month rotating EU presidency from July 1, Wen said China is ready to make joint efforts with the South European nation to complete negotiations on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between China and European Union as early as possible.

The agreement, Wen said, is "an important document" and is of great significance in guiding Sino-EU relations.

He expressed hope that China and the EU deal with bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, strengthen dialogue and handle mutual concerns sensitively.

Socrates said his country would play a positive role in enhancing the China-EU relationship when it takes over the bloc's presidency.

It is Socrates' first visit to China since he took office as prime minister in 2005.

Addressing a China-Portugal Trade Forum yesterday, Socrates said Portugal-China trade ties are entering a "golden era".

Bilateral trade surged to US$1.7 billion last year, up 39 percent year-on-year, according to figures from the Ministry of Commerce.