The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, met with the Ambassador of Portugal to China, Mr Paulo Jorge Pereira do Nascimento, to discuss Macao’s platform role between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, strengthening economic and trade cooperation, and patrimony linked to Portuguese culture, and its conservation.

During the recent meeting at the Government Headquarters in Macao, the Chief Executive said that he would lead a delegation to Portugal in April comprising officials of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government and local entrepreneurs, in order to seek greater avenues for investment and trade between enterprises from the two places.

Macao, as also a bridge linking China and Portuguese-speaking countries, would continue to give full play to: the advantages arising from the “One country, two systems” principle; the unique charm of the city’s language traditions and culture; the fostering of the city’s “one centre, one platform, and one base” strategic positions; and deepening ties between China and Portuguese-speaking countries in terms of economic and trade cooperation.

The Chief Executive additionally said that Macao and Portugal had long historical ties. The MSAR Government had always paid great attention to the contributions and cultural heritage of the Portuguese community in Macao. The MSAR Government strove to help preserve the community’s unique traditions, language, culture, and customs. Such effort was reflected in the existing legal system, and could also be seen in the city’s education system, architecture, and public works, Mr Ho stated.

Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Nascimento said the Portuguese Government would offer the utmost support regarding the Chief Executive’s forthcoming visit. Mr Nascimento said he hoped the April visit would help consolidate the connection, exchanges, and cooperation between Macao and Portugal.

Ambassador Nascimento also said that Macao’s platform roles would be helpful for enterprises from Portuguese-speaking countries when it came to investment in, respectively, the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin; the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; and other cities on the mainland. The combination of Macao, as part of the Greater Bay Area, and Portugal, in terms of its advantageous roles in medicine, new technologies and ocean economy, would be conducive for advancing development of the Greater Bay Area.

Other officials attending the meeting included the Director of the Government Headquarters Affairs Bureau of the MSAR, Ms Lao Kuan Lai de Luz; and the Consul-General of Portugal in Macao, Mr Alexandre Leitão.