The 2nd China-Portuguese-Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Expo (2nd C-PLPEX), the 30th Macao International Trade & Investment Fair (30th MIF) and the Macao Franchise Expo 2025 (2025MFE) all kicked off yesterday morning at The Venetian Macao, with the four-day event running through Saturday and featuring more than 1,100 exhibitors showcasing their products and services during the period.
Among the guests officiating at yesterday’s joint opening ceremony were Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai; Liu Xianfa, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Yan Dong, vice minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (PRC); Zhang Zhili, vice minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the PRC; Liu Decheng, chief of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Ji Xianzheng, secretary-general of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao; Che Weng Keong, president of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM); and Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai Kin Ip.
Addressing the ceremony, Tai said that the convention and exhibition industry is one of the key industries under the Macau government’s 1+4 appropriate economic diversification plan. “Through years of dedicated effort, we have continuously elevated our comprehensive capabilities, professional standards and core competitiveness”, he said.
Tai also said that Macau’s international recognition and economic influence also continues to expand.
This edition of MIF also marks its 30th anniversary, and Tai said that over the past three decades, “MIF has witnessed and promoted the growth of Macau’s MICE industry from its inception to maturity. The exhibition area has expanded tenfold.
Tai, whose speech in Putonghua was simultaneously interpreted into Portuguese and English, stressed that this year’s MIF is themed “Macao, Gateway to Global Business” and partners with Guangzhou to focus on areas such as biomedicine, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to deepen industry collaboration within the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Moreover, on the concurrent C-PLPEX, Tai said it gathers over 300 exhibitors from Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs), featuring a collaboration in a diversity of fields such as cross-border e-commerce, agriculture, new energy, and the blue economy*.
Meanwhile, Vice-Commerce Minister Yan pointed out in his speech that trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries has increased by nearly 20 times since Forum Macao’s inception, as well as that Macau is “a key platform” connecting China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Yan also highlighted three key areas that the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) will focus on to strengthen cooperation between China and PSCs.
First is strengthening industrial integration to create new opportunities for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, support the development of Forum Macao and better align it with high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and foster new growth points for economic and trade cooperation, as well as leverage Macau’s role as a hub on the maritime Silk Road, among others.
The second is to enhance trade and investment, as well as foster new momentum for cooperation between China and PSCs. “We will encourage Chinese and Portuguese-speaking countries’ enterprises to expand trade in agricultural products, food and new energy, and support investment and cooperation in infrastructure and advanced manufacturing in this field”.
Third, Yan said, is leveraging Macau’s role as a platform to elevate cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to a new level.
The concurrent exhibitions will run through Saturday, with a number of events scheduled, including those for members of the public. More details can be found on www.cplpex.mo, www.mif.com.mo, or www.mfe.mo
*The “blue economy” concept refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth while protecting marine ecosystems. It focuses on activities like fishing, shipping, tourism, and renewable energy, aiming to balance economic benefits with environmental health. - Source: Poe
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (8th from left); Liu Xianfa (7th from left), commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Yan Dong (9th from left), vice minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China; Zhang Zhili (6th from left), vice minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the PRC; and Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai Kin Ip (3rd from left) pose with other officials during yesterday’s opening ceremony at The Venetian Macao in Cotai. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
