Sam Hou Fai highlights China–Portugal ties, platform role in economic and cultural cooperation

The SAR government is committed to further leveraging Macau’s strengths and enhancing its role as a platform serving cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai said.

He noted that efforts will focus on providing higher-level support for collaboration in trade and investment, tourism and financial services, people-to-people exchanges, and talent development, with the aim of improving the practical outcomes of China–Portuguese-speaking countries cooperation.

Sam made the remarks at a reception marking Portugal Day, Camões Day, and the Day of the Portuguese Communities, held last night at the Portuguese School of Macau. The event was also attended by Portugal’s Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Fernando Alexandre and the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the MSAR, Bian Lixin.

On behalf of the local government, Sam extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the people of Portugal, Portuguese residents in Macau, and the Macanese community.

“Macau’s unique history has created a diverse society where different ethnicities, religions, languages, and lifestyles coexist harmoniously. Portuguese residents and the Macanese community are an important part of this society and have played a positive role in Macau’s harmony, stability, and prosperity,” he said in his speech.

Sam expressed hope that Portuguese residents and the Macanese community would continue to actively participate in Macau’s social development, promote China–Portugal relations, and contribute to both Macau’s progress and broader exchanges between China and Portugal.

He also highlighted his recent official visit to Portugal, his first overseas trip as Chief Executive, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen longstanding ties and deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.

He further stressed that Macau and Portugal should fully leverage their roles as two-way platforms.

According to him, Macau and Hengqin can serve as gateways for Portuguese-speaking and European enterprises entering mainland China and wider Asian markets, while Portugal can act as a gateway for Chinese enterprises expanding into Portuguese-speaking countries and the European Union.

Earlier in the day, Sam and Minister Alexandre witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Macao Polytechnic University and the University of Coimbra to establish a joint global campus in the Guangdong–Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

He said the agreement represents an important step in Macau–Portugal education cooperation and will help enhance the internationalization of Macao Polytechnic University as well as support the development of the Macau–Hengqin international education hub.

Sam added that Portugal has long supported Macau’s role as a “precise connector” between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and expressed hope for continued Portuguese support to ensure the success of the upcoming conference.

“I sincerely wish the friendship between China and Portugal will last forever,” Sam said, concluding his remarks. Times Reporter