Vice-President Han Zheng has called for stronger cooperation between China and Portugal in the research and development of smart power grid technologies, saying the two sides should work closer together in the promotion of standards and innovation.

Han made the remarks during a visit to a research and development center of Redes Energeticas Nacionais, the Portuguese national energy grid administrator in Lisbon.

He noted the R&D center is an outcome of cooperation of the Portuguese company and China's State Grid Corp and represents a fine example of cooperation between the two nations.

Beijing appreciates the efforts made by Portugal in promoting energy transformation and supporting the development of new energy sectors, he said.

Ana Fontoura Gouveia, the Portuguese Secretary of State for Energy and Climate who accompanied Han during the visit, said ties between Portugal and China are built on a solid foundation and bilateral cooperation in various sectors, especially the economy, have yielded fruitful outcomes.

She noted the center is of major significance to Portugal in that it has strongly supported its energy transition goals.