LISBON, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Cai Run said here on Wednesday that China-Portugal cooperation has broad prospects, especially under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

He said the two countries, marking the 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties, have been promoting mutual understanding, respect and trust, as well as enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation.

The two sides have carried out pragmatic cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, energy, science and technology, ocean, finance, education, culture and tourism, bringing tangible benefit to the two peoples, said Cai in a joint interview with Chinese media.

He said since China proposed in 2013 the BRI, which refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, more than 140 countries and international organizations including Portugal have signed documents on cooperation under the initiative and substantial progress has been made in a large number of key projects.

He added that China successfully hosted the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2017 and Portugal was also an important participant.

The Sino-Portuguese cooperation under the BRI framework was built on a natural advantage, as Portugal is a maritime country and an important hub connecting the silk road on the land and in the sea, he said.

The Chinese ambassador also mentioned that Portugal is an important partner of China and is one of the founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank initiated by China.

He added that Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Antonio Costa have stated that Portugal supports the BRI and is willing to expand pragmatic cooperation with China in various fields under the BRI framework.

The ambassador said China and Portugal could work together to further integrate the bilateral cooperation with their respective development strategies, so as to better benefit the two peoples.