Portuguese companies are welcome to explore the Chinese market, and Beijing encourages domestic enterprises to invest in the European country, Premier Li Keqiang said while meeting with Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva on Monday.

The premier met with Silva during a stopover on Portugal's Terceira Island on his way back to China after a three-day official visit to Cuba. Before that, Li had attended UN General Assembly meetings in New York and visited Canada.

During his meeting with Silva, Li also said both countries should make efforts to offer foreign investors a fair and convenient business environment.