On the occasion of the visit made by the President of the People's Republic of China to the island of Terceira, the President of the Government stressed the potential of the Azores Sea and the export of dairy products towards the strengthening of cooperation and trade relations with China.

"For the Azores, it was an honour to welcome the President of the People's Republic of China," said Vasco Cordeiro to journalists. According to him, this visit, which followed others made by high-ranking Chinese officials, provided an opportunity to make the Chinese President acquainted with the reality of the Azores as well as with the multiple dimensions of our country."

"We were also pleased to note that one of the main aspects of the projection of the Azores in Portugal - the Sea - is clearly regarded as one of the fundamental areas of the cooperation with China, which, due to constitutional provisions, cannot overlook the reality of the Azores," said the President of the Government.

According to him, this component and the fact that six dairy companies operating in the Azores are allowed to export to the Chinese market are a good sign that evidences the possibility of strengthening cooperation in the areas of interest to the Azores.

"These companies have a significant turnover, hence they have the potential to harness this new export opportunity" in the Chinese market, stressed Vasco Cordeiro.

Questioned on whether the Lajes Air Base process was addressed during Xi Jinping's visit to Terceira, the President of the Government considered that "what could be said about the outcome of the meeting was already mentioned by the Vice-Prime Minister in his statement."

Vasco Cordeiro welcomed the President of the Republic of China upon his arrival to the island of Terceira. He accompanied Xi Jinping in a visit to Monte Brasil, followed by the exchange of farewell compliments at Lajes Air Base.