Chui meets Rebelo de Sousa in Lisbon to continue talk started in Macau

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa yesterday [Macau time] met with Chief Executive Chui Sai On. Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.

The meeting is a continuation of the talks started in Macau when the Portuguese President visited the city for a day on May 1, a note from the Government Information Bureau stated.

During the meeting in the Presidential Residence of the Belem Palace, the Portuguese president said that the relations between Portugal and China as well as between Portugal and Macau are at their best times, noting that China thinks highly of the Macau’s role of bridge between China and Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries.

Macau “is developing well, especially in the field of economic diversification,” he said, noting that progress has been made in business investments, science and technology, and the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in Macau has played an important role.

He explained that the sustainable development of the Portuguese language in Macau will enhance the connection and cooperation in the fields of culture, society, economy and trade, science and technology and tourism with the Portuguese-speaking countries.

The president’s remarks were echoed by Chui, who said that his government will make the Chinese-Portuguese platform better.

Chui, who is on his official visit to Portugal starting Sunday, said that thanks to the traditional friendship and historic connections between Macau and Portugal, bilateral cooperation has made rapid progress with joint efforts from both sides.

He expressed confidence that there will be great potential for cooperation between the two sides under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Greater Bay Area.

Chui reiterated that Macau will continue to protect the Portuguese community and promote the development of the Portuguese culture and the Portuguese language in Macau.

Also yesterday, Chui attended the Macau SAR’s reception and a photo exhibition in Lisbon, which is to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Macau SAR. RM/Agencies