Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs) on Oct 11. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs) on Oct 11, Premier Li Keqiang compared the forum to a bridge that connects the two sides.

Just as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge, now under construction, would be the world’s longest cross-sea bridge, the forum can be a longer “trans-oceanic bridge,” the Premier said.

China and Portuguese-speaking countries account for 17 percent of the global economy and 22 percent of the world population. They can work together to set a good example of friendly exchanges between countries, he added.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a?keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs) on Oct 11. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Talking about capacity cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the Premier said that it is a complementary and win-win situation. “China and Portugal have had successful cooperation with other Portuguese-speaking countries in third-party markets,” said the Premier, adding that he hopes such cooperation could be replicated in more regions.

A memorandum on capacity cooperation will be signed during the forum.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs) on Oct 11. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

According to Premier Li, China will encourage more imports from Portuguese-speaking countries, and will actively implement preferential policies concerning zero-tariff treatment of 97 percent of taxable items from some nations.

China is ready to list more member countries of the forum as destinations for organized outbound tours for Chinese citizens, said the Premier.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang?arrives at the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs) on Oct 11. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Prime ministers from Portugal, Cape Verde, Republic of Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique, and government representatives of Brazil, Angola and East Timor attended the ceremony.

Premier Li posed for group photos with delegation heads before the opening ceremony.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs) on Oct 11. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs) on Oct 11. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]