China is willing to help Portugal make its return to the debt markets said the latter’s Minister of Finance Vítor Gaspar on Thursday, 5 July, as he made a one day visit to the Asian country.

Gaspar highlighted that “the importance of China does not only stem from its quantitative importance and now being the world’s largest exporter but also from its reputation and the commitment put into its investment decisions.”

After flagging how this was important in itself, Gaspar concluded this “also represents a leadership sign of great relevance to other investors.”

On his 24-hour visit Gaspar is meeting with his Chinese peer Xie Xuren and the Governor of the Chinese General Bank, Zhou Xiaochuan, while also meeting business figures from the county alongside Minister for Foreign Affairs Paulo Portas, in “Camões”, Beijing’s only Portuguese restaurant.

Gaspar returns to Portugal on Friday whilst Portas continues on to Hong Kong and Macau for the final leg of his 8-day visit to China.