The 15th edition of the Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, organised by the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), kicked off yesterday evening on the fourth floor of Macau Tower, and is on until next Wednesday.
The Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macau) is also known as Forum Macao.
The five-day event comprises music and dance performances, culinary teaching workshops, hand-made product shops, booth games, and an art exhibition, focusing on the promotion of the cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs).
According to a statement by Forum Macao, the event is being held as a means of celebrating the 20th anniversary of its establishment. It said that it was held on the same day as the opening of the 1st China-Portuguese-Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Expo (C-PLPEX) in Cotai, with the aim of taking advantage of the fair’s marketisation and brand effect, and promoting the integration of culture, business and tourism.
The culinary event involves about 100 chefs and artists from Macau, Yunnan province, and eight PSCs, i.e., Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste (East Timor), the statement added.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Forum Macao Secretary-General Ji Xianzhen highlighted Macau’s role as a cultural bridge between China and the Portuguese-speaking world that facilitates economic interaction for both sides. He said that the secretariat would continue to organise more diversified cultural activities and further promote economic cooperation between mainland China, Macau and the PSCs, in order to consolidate Macau’s strategic position of “One Centre, One Platform, One Base” which, according to previous local government statements, refers to the aim of developing Macau into a world tourism and leisure centre, a service platform for business and trade cooperation between China and PSCs, and a base for exchanges and cooperation with Chinese culture as the mainstream where multiple cultures co-exist.
Among those present at the opening ceremony were Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong, and delegates to Forum Macao’s member countries.
Local and mainland government officials and delegates to the Forum Macao’s member countries pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries yesterday at Macau Tower, including Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong (centre), and Forum Macao’s Secretary-General Ji Xianzhen (seventh from left).
– Photo: GCS
