The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead a delegation leaving Macao tomorrow for a six-day visit, from 10 to 15 September, to the Portuguese Republic.

The visit takes place following an invitation by the Portuguese President, Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. During the visit, the Chief Executive is to meet with Portugal’s Prime Minister, Mr António Costa.

Mr Chui will also preside – alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Mr Augusto Santos Silva – over the next meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee.

While in Portugal, Mr Chui will meet with young people from Macao studying in that country, in order better to understand their needs while living and studying overseas.

During the meetings with Portugal’s leaders, Mr Chui will brief them on the latest developments of the Macao SAR, including the city’s first-ever Five-Year Development Plan.

Both sides will engage in discussions regarding further cooperation opportunities arising from the plans to transform Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure; and to become a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as “Centre and Platform” policies).

During the next meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee, the Government will additionally review the results of the long-term cooperation between the two sides. The meeting will also aim to explore new ways to deepen exchanges in fields such as education and training of professionals. It will also help to boost bilateral cooperation in trade and economic services.

The Macao-Portugal Joint Committee was established under the Framework Agreement of Cooperation between the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Portuguese Republic, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the two sides in a number of areas. The first meeting of the Macao-Portugal Joint Committee was held in Lisbon, in April 2011.

Macao and Portugal have solid relations, highlighted by deep history and cultural ties. The Macao SAR Government pays great attention to maintaining friendly relations with Portugal and to strengthening bilateral exchanges. Macao is home to many Portuguese citizens – including Macanese and Portuguese working in Macao. All of them have made significant contributions for the development of Macao SAR over the years. The Macao law properly protects Portuguese citizens living in Macao. Portuguese citizens are a living statement of Macao’s harmonious society and its fusion between Chinese and Western cultures, being crucial for the prosperity of the Macao SAR.

Officials accompanying the Chief Executive to Portugal include: the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; and the Director of the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, Ms O Tin Lin.

The delegation will return to Macao on 15 September. During Mr Chui’s absence, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, will be Acting Chief Executive.