The Portuguese Secretary of State of Internal Administration, Jorge Gomes (left), Chui Sai On and Vítor Sereno during the Portuguese National Day reception
I wouldn’t like for us to get to 2049 and there be a possibility that my country is only remembered for having left here [in Macau] a set of buildings that are part of the world’s heritage,” said Vítor Sereno, Consul General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong as quoted by Radio Macau.
Sereno spoke last Friday afternoon at the annual reception at the Bela Vista official consul’s residence, to commemorate the Portuguese National Day (June 10).
Sereno expressed that Portugal is not only part of Macau’s past but should also be an important part of its future. “My commitment is toward our country [Portugal] and our community [Portuguese] to be able to contribute decisively and participate in the future strategy that the Central Government and the [Macau] Executive intend to implement,” Sereno added.
The consul said that Portuguese authorities want to help the Macau Government to achieve “the three great goals of its governance: making Macau as a platform to the Portuguese-speaking countries; help Macau to diversify and to assert itself not only as a tourism and leisure hub but also a hub for the learning of the Portuguese language, as well as in health and renewable energy sectors.”
The Chief Executive, Chui Sai On, attended the event and highlighted the contribution of both the Portuguese and Macanese communities in the construction of Macau. “It is with renewed joy that I recognize the active contribution of Portuguese and Macanese residents in the territory and part of Macau society for the construction and development of the Special Administrative Region,” he said during his speech, adding: “We are preparing the 5th edition of the Ministerial Conference of Forum Macau. We believe that relying on the national strategy ‘One Belt, One Road’ and taking advantage of its singularities, Macau will continue to promote and strengthen its cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries,” he stated.The CE also reaffirmed the commitment of the government of the territory to continue in its pursuit of closer and stronger relations with Portugal and with the Portuguese-speaking countries.
Earlier on, the traditional ceremonies of “flag hoisting” at the Portuguese Consulate building, followed by the visit to the Camões Grotto in Luís de Camões Garden had been carried out to also commemorate the poet and celebrate Portuguese communities worldwide. RM
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