Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto, gave an interview to CGTN and talked about what makes Porto so special

CGTN (China Global Television Network) was in Porto to interview Mayor Rui Moreira. The topics on the table were China-Portugal relations, Chinese investment in Porto, how can Porto attract more Chinese people, Port Wine market in China, and how to improve mutual understanding.

For the second time within the space of five months, Rui Moreira was interviewed by "The Point", CGTN?s most important news programme, broadcasted in more than 100 countries all over the world, with a potential reach of 85 million viewers.

Last June, Rui Moreira officially visited China and when in Beijing, gave an interview to CGTN's The Point. 

Journalist Lui Xin conducted the interview at the Customs Building in the city of Porto and Mayor Rui Moreira focused on the unique potentialities of Porto and the North Region of Portugal, as regions that are increasingly attracting more tourists and investment, in such matter that mutual understanding is not something that will stand still.

The Mayor of Porto highlighted Porto's history and tradition, matched today to a "comfortable, safe and interesting city", qualities that awarded Porto the title of Best European Destination in 2012, 2014 and 2017.

However, things weren't always like this in the Invicta; It is true to say that, somewhat, Rui Moreira was Porto's starting point. When the Mayor started his first mandate, in 2013, he and his team realised that the city lacked a brand, something to mirror Porto's unique identity. And so, Porto was no longer "Europe's best kept secret".

In 2014, the Municipality establishes the brand "Porto.", which was distinguished at global level with several international awards.

"We have built the brand that the city lacked. The city was known as Oporto by the English, Porto by us and Port because of the wine. We have decided to keep one name- Porto."

"Without a doubt, the combination of old and new, ancient and modern have made Porto's lifestyle unique", enthused Rui Moreira.

"We need a direct flight between porto and Shanghai"

Rui Moreira wants a concrete bet when it comes to flight connections between the North Region of Portugal and China, namely Shanghai-Porto.

These two cities are twined since 1995, but, according to Rui Moreira, the "relationship as dormant", "that's why in a recent official visit to China this was a key issue on the agenda, the flight connections". 

When asked on how can Porto attract more Chinese people, Rui Moreira explained that tourism and the export of typically Portuguese products, such as beer and Port wine, but also in the technological areas, in culture and in long term investments. 

There is a meeting of minds in this chapter as "there is a great Chinese community in Porto who is very happy with this mutual understanding between Portugal and China".

Every step makes a footprint

The Mayor of Porto highlighted that China is an example in terms of opening up to other countries and mentioned that he is no stranger "to what China has invested in the African continent", adding that "the way to building a safer, happier world is to invest on empowering people, creating jobs and opportunities, and not making trade wars and closing borders" and concluded by saying that "Europeans can learn with the Chinese in this matter".