Yang praises Macau’s ‘outstanding achievements’
Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, who is on a working visit in Portugal, met with the Chinese Ambassador to Portugal, Yang Yirui, in Lisbon at noon yesterday (local time), where they exchanged views on topics such as supporting Macau in continuously deepening its exchanges and cooperation with Portugal across multiple fields, and better leveraging Macau’s role as a service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries so as to make its own contributions to the national development, according to a statement released by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) in the early hours of today (Macau time).
According to the statement, Sam noted during the meeting that Portugal is the first stop of the current-term MSAR government’s first official foreign trip, which is of great significance.
Sam is leading a delegation comprising local officials and representatives from the business sector on his working visit to Portugal and Spain. Afterwards, the government delegation will proceed to Switzerland and Belgium, before returning to Macau next Sunday, April 26.
According to the GCS statement, Sam underlined during the meeting at the ambassador’s official residence that the visit to Portugal aims to put into practice the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s important speeches made during his inspection visit to Macau in December 2024 and to implement the important consensus for cooperation reached by the heads of state of China and Portugal.
Sam also noted that the visit also aims to show the international community the achievements of Macau’s successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle since its return to the motherland on December 20, 1999, to promote the development opportunities of Macau and Hengqin, and to better leverage Macau’s role as a cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as its important role as a bridgehead for the country’s opening up to the outside world.
According to the statement, Yang said during the meeting that this first overseas visit by the current-term MSAR government is large-scale and high-profile, and is expected to achieve fruitful results. Macau and Portugal share a unique historical connection and a solid foundation for good cooperation, Yang said, adding that Sam’s visit to Portugal is of great significance to the ongoing advancement of sound China-Portugal cooperation.
Yang also praised the “outstanding achievements” of Macau’s successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, adding that he expects Macau to continue to play a proactive role in making contributions to further strengthening China-Portugal relations.
Sam meets Macau students in Portugal, raising 3 expectations
Meanwhile, on Saturday night (local time), Sam met in Lisbon with about 110 Macau students studying in Portugal, underlining that the MSAR government will continue to support the studies and development of Macau students in Portugal.
According to a statement released by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) yesterday afternoon (Macau time), Sam said he expects Macau students studying in Portugal to, after completing their studies, return to Macau in order to fully utilise their talents, contributing their wisdom and strength to the development of the nation and Macau.
According to the statement, most of the about 110 students are studying either law, translation, Portuguese language studies, or management, with others studying sports science, medicine, artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, mechanical engineering, economics, and architecture, among others.
During the meeting, which was held in a hotel, Sam said that he shared much common ground with the students as he had previously travelled from Macau to Portugal to pursue further studies there. Macau and Portugal share profound historical ties, with marks of mutual integration in areas such as language, culture, law, and architecture, which have become Macau’s signature characteristics and unique advantages, Sam said.
For the students, Sam said, studying in Portugal is not merely a personal educational choice, but also a continuation of the deep ties and friendship between Macau and Portugal. Such ties create a responsibility: the inheritance of the past and the forging of the future, Sam said.
According to the statement, Sam noted that “people” are the key pillar of the Macau government’s ongoing campaign to strengthen Macau’s role as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, more specifically, he said, versatile, talented people who are proficient in both languages, familiar with both cultures, and equipped with professional skills and a global perspective.
Sam’s 3 expectations
During the meeting, the statement said, Sam raised three expectations for the students.
Sam said that the first is to focus on their studies, lay a solid foundation, and make good use of their advantages of being in Portugal to enhance their cross-cultural communication skills.
Sam said that the second is to broaden their horizons, play the role of a bridge, and tell China’s story and Macau’s story well to students from all over the world.
The third, Sam said, is to maintain deep affection for their nation and Macau, returning to Macau to fully apply their talents upon completion of their studies.
According to the statement, Sam said that studying abroad is an incredibly precious life experience, adding that while bringing the joy of achievement, it inevitably comes with difficulties and loneliness, reminding them that the motherland and Macau are their strongest backing. Sam underlined that the Macau government will continue strengthening communication with Macau students studying in Portugal in order to pay close attention to their studies and development.
Meanwhile, on Saturday afternoon (local time) in Lisbon, Sam attended the opening ceremony of an arts and cultural exhibition “Reflections of a Sea of Mirrors: 500 Years of Exchange between Chinese and Western Civilisations in Macau”.
The exhibition is jointly organised by the MSAR’s Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre in Portugal.
According to an IC statement released yesterday morning (Macau time), the exhibition, which is being held at the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre in Portugal in Lisbon, opens between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily except Mondays.
Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (left) shakes hands with Chinese Ambassador to Portugal Yang Yirui on the sidelines of their meeting in Lisbon at noon yesterday (local time).– Photo: GCS
A student takes a selfie with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, other Macau officials, and other Macau students studying in Portugal on the sidelines of the meeting at a hotel in Lisbon on Saturday night (local time). – Photo: GCS
