President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, stand with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at Belem Palace, the official presidential residence in Lisbon, Portugal, on Dec 4, 2018. [Photo/Agencies]

President Xi Jinping and his Portuguese counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, vowed on Friday to make concerted efforts to advance bilateral ties to benefit the two countries and the two peoples.

The two presidents made the statement in exchanging congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Portugal.

In his congratulatory message to Rebelo de Sousa, Xi said that over the past four decades, the two nations have been promoting sound development of bilateral ties in the spirit of mutual respect, treating each other as equals and benefiting from win-win cooperation.

He hailed the proper resolution of the question of Macao by the two countries in 1999 as a good example of how nations can solve problems left from history through friendly consultations.

The two countries have had frequent high-level exchanges since they forged a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2005, with political mutual trust deepened and cooperative outcomes achieved in various fields, Xi said.

He recalled his visit to Portugal in December as well as his meeting with Rebelo de Sousa, and said he considers the China-Portugal relationship to be very important.

Xi said he is willing to work with the Portuguese president to set the 40th anniversary as a new starting point for taking bilateral relations to a new stage.

Rebelo de Sousa said in the statement that his country takes pride in maintaining peace and the longterm development of relations with China.

He said he trusts that the two sides will advance the long-standing, consolidated friendship through consistent efforts, firm resolve and passion.

Also on Friday, Premier Li Keqiang exchanged congratulations with his Portuguese counterpart, Antonio Costa, on the 40th anniversary of the two nations' diplomatic ties.