On September 23, Tomás Azevedo, Consul General of the Portuguese Republic in Guangzhou, visited Hainan and called on the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province (Hainan FAO). Wang Yunfei, Deputy Director-General of the Hainan FAO, held a working meeting with Azevedo and his delegation. The two sides had an in depth exchange of views on strengthening exchanges and cooperation between Hainan and Portugal across a range of fields.

Wang warmly welcomed Azevedo to Hainan. He noted that Portugal is an important European partner for China. The Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) is committed to building itself into a leading gateway for China's opening-up in the new era and looks forward to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with countries worldwide, including Portugal.

After briefly reviewing the history of exchanges between Hainan and Portugal and outlining the Hainan FTP's development since the launch of island-wide special customs operations and its industrial structure, Wang expressed the Hainan FAO's readiness to maintain close communication with the consulate general. Guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and Portugal on expanding and deepening cooperation across a range of fields, he suggested leveraging platforms such as the China International Consumer Products Expo and the China (Hainan) International Winter Trade Fair for Tropical Agricultural Products to advance practical cooperation in economy and trade, tourism, healthcare, trade in agricultural products, sister-city relations, and free trade zone (port) partnerships, for mutual benefit.

Azevedo congratulated Hainan on the FTP's development achievements and commended its success in preserving cultural heritage while focusing on developing high-tech industries such as marine technology, green energy, and aerospace. He said the Hainan FTP's policies offer foreign companies, including those from Portugal, opportunities to invest and establish businesses in Hainan and a gateway to the Chinese market. They also provide a new platform for Portugal to deepen cooperation with China across a range of fields.

He stated that the consulate general would serve as a bridge between the two sides, deepen understanding of the Hainan FTP's key preferential policies, and promote closer cooperation between Portugal and Hainan in tourism, education, trade, and services. He also expressed interest in further discussions with Hainan on launching direct flights between Portugal and southern China and providing convenient visa services.

During the visit, the Portuguese delegation also held discussions with relevant universities and government departments in Hainan and conducted field visits in Haikou.