Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio said Monday that Sino-Portuguese relations will enter a new stage of development after the return of Macao to China on December 20.

In an interview with Xinhua, Sampaio said, "I'm fully confident that Portugal and China will, as always, continue to maintain and develop their relations of friendly cooperation."

The question of Macao is an issue left over from history, and the signing of the "Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration on the Question of Macao" in 1987 through friendly cooperation and consultation set a good example of settling bilateral issues through peaceful means, he said.

He added that the peaceful settlement of the Macao issue is of great importance in today's world where destabilizing and violent factors still exist.

Portugal in 1975 recognized that Macao is part of China and this stance was reaffirmed when China and Portugal established diplomatic relations in 1979 and signed the joint declaration on the question of Macao in 1987, he said.

Portugal will continue to respect the principles of the joint declaration both literally and in terms of spirit, he stressed.

Sampaio also praised late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping for his

concept of "one country, two systems," which the president said had played a decisive role in guaranteeing Macao's stable transition and a smooth transfer of power.

Describing his view on Macao's prospect as "undoubtedly positive and optimistic," Sampaio said he believed that after its return to China, Macao will continue to enjoy peace, progress and economic development and that a successful governance of the future local government of Macao will be unquestionable.