Mayor Ying leads delegation on Portugal visit

Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong led a delegation on a visit to Portugal from Saturday to Tuesday, signing memoranda of understanding on science, culture and tourism during the trip.

Portugal plays an important role in the innovative network of Europe, Ying said, adding that Shanghai welcomes enterprises, colleges, scientific research institutions as well as scientists from Portugal to visit the city or have exchanges in a larger area, and at a deeper level and of a higher standard.

The cooperation between Portugal and Shanghai in material, biomedicine, and geosciences has been very effective, and the scientific cooperation with Shanghai is slated to reach a higher level, according to Portuguese leaders.

Ying met Manuel Heitor, Portugal’s minister of science, technology and higher education, and other Portuguese officials. In addition, Ying also attended the Shanghai Salon city promotional event in Lisbon.

“We should learn from the experience of Porto in preserving city landscapes and innovation of functions of historical architectures,” the mayor said during a visit to the ancient city of Porto, a UNESCO cultural heritage site.

STARLab, set up by the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of CAS and a Portuguese group, has great potential, and the city hopes that more Portuguese enterprises and scientific research institutions will set up laboratories in cooperation with Shanghai institutions in the future, according to Ying.

Cai Run, China’s ambassador to Portugal, joined the activities.

Before visiting Portugal, the delegation also visited Egypt and Greece. Ying and his delegation returned to Shanghai on Wednesday.