The Portuguese-speaking member-states of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) are feeling the impact of the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus as it moves around the world. The Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao has made use of the Macao region’s role as a platform to bring together several local entities and institutions, namely the Macau Chinese Enterprises Association, and the Macao Federal Commercial Association of Wine and Food Industries in Portuguese Speaking Countries and Regions, among others, to donate protective and safety equipment, including 180,000 masks and over 1,000 protective suits. They will be used to help the eight Portuguese-speaking member-states of Forum Macao jointly fight the pandemic.

A ceremony to mark the donation was held on May 4, 2020, at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex. Among those in attendance were: the Secretary General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ms Xu Yingzhen; Deputy Secretaries-General, Mr Ding Tian and Mr Casimiro de Jesus Pinto; the Consul-General of the Republic of Mozambique in the Macao SAR, Mr Rafael Custódio Marques; the Consul-General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong, Mr Paulo Cunha Alves; the Vice-Consul of the Republic of Angola in the Macao SAR, Mr Estanislau Guilherme dos Santos; the coordinator of the Macau Chinese Enterprises Association and of the Specialised Commission for the Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, Mr Zhang Jie; the President of the Macao Federal Commercial Association of Wine and Food Industries in Portuguese Speaking Countries and Regions, Mr Ip Sio Man; representatives of the donors; and the delegates to the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao.

Secretary-General Ms Xu Yingzhen stressed that the Permanent Secretariat has taken a close interest in the well-being of Portuguese-speaking Countries, given that it is a significant participant in the construction of the Commercial and Trade Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

After the declaration of the pandemic, the Permanent Secretariat immediately initiated online and offline support activities. These were namely: the publication of a Portuguese-language version of a series of promotional videos the titles of which translate in English as “Coming together to fight the pandemic! Better prevention, better protection!”; and publication of pandemic-prevention information relating to the role of individual hygiene, of preventive measures at home and at work, and of medical consultation. The materials were placed on the Secretariat’s official website and its social media accounts. The Permanent Secretariat took advantage of online channels to share information on epidemic prevention with the people of the Portuguese-speaking Countries in order that they might jointly combat the pandemic.

Meanwhile the Permanent Secretariat brought together and collaborated with entities and institutions in collecting protective equipment for medical work and other safety supplies, in order that they could be donated to the eight Portuguese-speaking Countries to help them in the fight against the pandemic. The Permanent Secretariat believes that all governments and peoples will together overcome the temporary hardships, launch a process of economic recovery and resume normal life at the earliest opportunity.

The coordinator of the Macau Chinese Enterprises Association and of the Specialised Commission for the Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, Mr Zhang, said that both entities shared the pain of their friends from Portuguese-speaking Countries. He noted that presently they were all suffering from the pandemic. The entities he represented were always willing to stand by the side of those nations in solidarity and to work with them to face the difficulties together, said Mr Zhang.

After the donation ceremony, the supplies are being immediately shipped to their destinations. The member companies of the Macau Chinese Enterprises Association and of the Specialised Commission for the Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries that took part in the donation effort include:

China Construction Engineering (Macau) Co., Ltd.

China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Investment Management Co., Ltd.

Bank of China (Macau) Ltd.

Zhen Hwa Harbour Construction Co., Ltd.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Ltd.

China ZhongJi Mechanical Industry Engineering (Macau) Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Construction Group (Macau) Ltd.

Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. Macau Branch

China Construction Bank Corporation Macau Branch

Chon Tit (Macau) Investment and Development Co., Ltd.

Sociedade de Cimentos de Macau S.A.R.L

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (Macao) Ltd.

China Taiping Insurance (Macau) Co., Ltd.

China National Aviation Corporation (Macau) Co., Ltd.

The Macau Chinese Bank Ltd.