Lisbon prepares for Xi visit

The Portuguese capital of Lisbon is gearing up for a state visit by President Xi Jinping on Dec 3 and 4.

On a sunny Monday morning on the University of Lisbon campus, some 100 people attended an opening of the Wisdom of Confucius cultural exhibit. The show displays 60 photos about Confucius' life, the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong province, and the philosopher's impact on the world as well as on the development of his native Shandong province.

Joao Bonacho Martins, a senior majoring in language and literature at the University of Lisbon, was taking in the photos on show. He has studied Chinese for four years and enrolled in the Confucius Institute last year.

"I love the Chinese language and culture," Martins said in Chinese.

He said he finds Confucian culture very interesting and he is looking forward to studying in Tianjin, China, next summer to sharpen his skills in Chinese language and culture.

On Monday morning, a China-Portugal readers' seminar on the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China was held in the National Palace of Ajuda, with some 200 Chinese and Portuguese officials, politicians and scholars in attendance.

Wang Xiaohui, executive deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said many friends, including those in Portugal, are interested in learning about the fundamental dynamics behind China's rapid development, and what a rising China means for the world.

"This important book, Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, provides a key for readers in various countries to understand China and the Communist Party of China," he said.

Jose Luis Pinto Ramalho, chairman of the League of Portugal-China Lasting Friendship, agreed, saying, "The book is a guide to understanding Chinese political and foreign policy." Ramalho added that he is also interested in understanding more about the Belt and Road Initiative.

On late Monday afternoon, Chinese and Portuguese journalists engaged in a dialogue to seek closer cooperation between the two countries.

On Sunday afternoon, the 2018 Chinese Film Week in Portugal got underway in Lisbon. Seven Chinese films of diverse genres will be on show until Dec 2.

They include American Dreams in China; Wolf Totem; Operation Mekong; Song of the Phoenix; Born in China; Monkey King: Hero Is Back and Go Away, Mr. Tumor.

Wang, who is also director of the State Film Administration, described the seven films as a microcosm of the rapidly developing Chinese film industry. "I hope they will help Portuguese audiences understand Chinese films and appreciate Chinese culture," he said.

Wang said the two countries' film industries enjoy healthy exchanges. Film festivals were also held in each other's countries in 2015 and 2016.

Portuguese Film and Audiovisual Institute President Luis Chaby Vaz said the cinema week will help promote Chinese films and the event carries special significance being held just ahead of Xi's visit to Portugal.