The Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI) has announced the inauguration of the MPI International Portuguese Training Centre for Conference Interpretation.

The institute issued a written announcement saying the centre would train interpreters with the help of the interpretation arm of the European Commission, and so help Macao perform its function as a place where China and the Portuguese-speaking world can do business.

The announcement quotes MPI President Im Sio Kei as saying at the inauguration ceremony that the European Commission has helped MPI arrange nine courses in conference interpretation in the past 15 years.

The centre will serve as a bridge between the European Union and China, the MPI announcement quotes the head of the European Commission interpretation arm, Florika Fink-Hooijer, as saying.