China affirmed its confidence Friday, 29 June, the eve of a visit by Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs Paulo Portas, in Lisbon’s efforts to stabilise its finances and spur economic growth.

“China believes that the Portuguese government, based on its own efforts and on international support, will be able to stabilise finances and promote economic growth”, Beijing’s Foreign Ministy spokesman Hong Lei said in reply to a question asked by news agency Lusa.

He said Lisbon had made “progress” on the “principal measures” adopted under its 13-month-old EU-IMF bailout programme.

Hong added: “China backs the efforts of the Portuguese government and of the eurozone countries to combat the economic crisis. China believes that the European side has the capacity and wisdom to overcome the current difficulties and embrace new development”.

Leading a heavy-weight Portuguese business delegation, Portas begins an eight-day, four-city Chinese visit Saturday, the first by a member of Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho’s cabinet to the Asian powerhouse.

Minister of Finance Vítor Gaspar will team up with Portas in Beijing on 5 July.