As a precursor to the third Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, officials from these countries Thursday gathered here to discuss topics related to the two sides' cooperation.

The third Ministerial Conference of the Forum will be held from Saturday through Sunday, where officials from China and seven Portuguese-speaking Countries, namely Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor, will explore cooperation in fields of trade, economy, culture and others. China 's Premier Wen Jiabao will attend the event.

During Thursday's meeting, the participating officials held discussion on the draft of Action Plans for Economic and Commercial Cooperation, which was expected to be signed after the third Ministerial Conference of the Forum, and the agenda of the incoming conference.

Around 1,500 officials and representatives from China and the seven Portuguese-speaking countries will participate in the conference.

Under the main theme "Diversified Cooperation, Harmonious Development", various activities will be held during the conference period, including the "Ministerial Conference", the " Conference for Business people" and the "Conference for Professionals in Finance", according to the secretariat of the Forum.

Previously, two Ministerial Conferences of the Forum were held in Macao respectively in October 2003 and September 2006.