Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On said in Lisbon this week that based on their “close friendship and historic ties” and thanks to the efforts made by the two, cooperation between Macau and Portugal had been continually strengthened.
Chui also said that thanks to the opportunities offered by the central government’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), Macau and Portugal would have even more cooperation chances in the future, according to a statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) yesterday.
Chui made the remarks during a meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the presidential Belém Palace in Lisbon on Monday afternoon (local time).
‘Two purposes’
According to the statement, Chui also said that his current visit to Portugal had “two purposes” – to study new developments in Portugal and to attend the 6th meeting of the Macau-Portugal Joint Commission.
Chui and Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva will co-chair the meeting in Lisbon, according to previous media reports.
Protecting the Macanese
According to the statement, Chui promised in his meeting with the Portuguese head of state that the local government will strictly follow the Macau Basic Law by always taking care of, and protecting the Macanese community, and also by supporting the continuation and development of the Portuguese culture in Macau.
Customarily, the term “Macanese” refers to Macau’s community of residents of mixed Portuguese and Asian descent, which accounts for about two percent of the local population. There is also a sizeable Macanese Diaspora.
According to Article 42 of the Macau Basic Law, “the interests of the residents of Portuguese descent in Macau shall be protected by the Macau Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law, and their customs and cultural traditions shall be respected.”
‘Excellent period’
Rebelo de Sousa pointed out, according to the statement, that the relationship between China and Portugal, and between Macau and Portugal, is experiencing an “excellent period”, adding that he was glad to see that President Xi Jinping “highly values” Macau’s role in connecting China and the world’s Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs).
Rebelo de Sousa also noted that the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) is enjoying a “great” development state. The Portuguese president also mentioned Macau’s efforts to promote its moderate economic diversification, adding that progress has been made in Macau in business investments, science and technology.
According to the statement, Rebelo de Sousa further noted that the Macau-based Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and PSCs plays an important role in connecting China and the PSCs.
Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On (left) and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa clasp hands at the presidential Belém Palace on the outskirts of Lisbon on Monday. Photo: GCS
