Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló at the Macau Government Headquarters yesterday, according to a statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) last night.
During the meeting, the two discussed enhancing Macau’s role as a platform for promoting cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (PSCs), as well as fostering economic and commercial ties between the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
Sam briefed Embaló and his delegation on the successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle in the MSAR, which has achieved stable and comprehensive development. According to the statement, Sam noted that Macau has made remarkable progress in various areas, including political and economic development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods. Additionally, Sam emphasised that the MSAR government and all sectors of civil society are dedicated to preserving and promoting Macau’s unique historical and cultural heritage, aiming to further strengthen Macau’s role as a platform for cultural exchange between China and the West and develop it into an important tourism and leisure hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
Moreover, Sam pointed out that China and Guinea-Bissau enjoy a strong relationship, having established a strategic partnership last year. He highlighted that the sixth ministerial-level meeting of the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Forum was successfully held in Macau last year, which helps expand broader cooperation prospects between China and all PSCs. Macau will continue to leverage its role as “one centre, one platform, and one base,” Sam said, assisting Guinea-Bissau by fully utilising its economic and trade cooperation service platform. This, Sam stressed, will promote and support mutual investment and cooperation between businesses from both sides and help Guinea-Bissau transform its significant resource potential into development momentum. Furthermore, Macau and Guinea-Bissau can deepen cooperation in areas such as health, education, and youth affairs, Sam added.
According to the statement, those attending the meeting included Liu Xianfa, Commissioner of the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the MSAR; Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai Kin Ip; and Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office Chan Kak.
The following members of Embaló’s delegation were also present: Minister of Economy, Planning, and Regional Integration of Guinea-Bissau, Soares Sambú; Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Fatumata Jau; Foreign Affairs Advisor to the President, Alfredo Lopes Cabral; Political Advisor to the President, Fernando Delfim da Silva; Presidential Advisor Yessenia Suad de Brito Arif Ibrahim; Advisor to the President’s Office, N'Dira Yonhinte Tavares; and Representative of Guinea-Bissau to the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Abdú Jaquité.
Public broadcaster TDM reported this morning that Embaló, who arrived in Macau yesterday with his delegation, held talks with representatives of two Chinese enterprises during his stay. Reportedly, Embaló and his delegation have since arrived in Hong Kong as part of their Asian tour.
Guinea-Bissau, which has about 2.1 million inhabitants, is a member of Forum Macao, comprising China and nine PSCs. The West African country unilaterally declared independence from Portugal in September 1973 during an over decade-long liberation war. Portugal recognised its independence in September 1974. The country is one of the world’s top producers and exporters of raw cashew nuts, which account for the vast majority (around 80 percent) of its export earnings.
Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (right) shakes hands with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló in front of the Macau SAR Government Headquarters in Nam Van (Praia Grande) yesterday. - Photo: GCS
