Portugal PM Urges China to Mediate Ukraine Peace, Deepen Economic Ties

Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro visited Beijing for the first time in nearly a decade, urging President Xi Jinping to leverage China's close ties with Russia to promote a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The visit also aimed to strengthen economic relations with China, as Portugal seeks to recover from export losses due to U.S. tariffs and diversify its partnerships amid EU concerns about Chinese trade practices and technology security. Despite strong Chinese investments in Portugal, including significant support during Portugal's financial crisis, Montenegro maintained Portugal's ban on Chinese 5G equipment, reflecting ongoing security concerns. The visit highlights Europe's delicate balancing act of engaging with China economically while addressing geopolitical tensions related to Russia and technology dependence. Xi pledged to deepen strategic communication with Portugal, emphasizing a commitment to a healthy bilateral relationship. Portugal's outreach may influence EU-China dynamics by softening Beijing's image in Europe amid broader geopolitical complexities surrounding the Ukraine conflict.