President Jiang Zemin will visit Portugal before Macau's handover in December, it was revealed yesterday.
Portuguese Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, who arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit yesterday, said the trip was 'practically agreed'. Details, including the date, have yet to be announced.
It would be the first state visit by a Chinese president to Portugal in 15 years.
A Portuguese diplomat in Beijing said Mr Jiang's visit showed the 'excellent' relationship over the enclave's transition.
Mr Gama said talks on the stationing of a mainland advance guard in Macau before the handover were still in their 'first stage'.
Speaking after a two-hour working meeting with counterpart Tang Jiaxuan, Mr Gama said: 'What is certain is that there will be a Chinese military garrison in Macau after the handover.'
