A delegation from the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), led by Deputy Secretaries-General Mr Ding Tian and Mr Rodrigo Brum, visited Beihai in Guangxi Province between September 18 to 20. The goal of the visit was to strengthen cooperation between different municipalities and provinces in Mainland China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, including on the topic of production capacity.

The delegation was welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of the People’s Government of Beihai Municipality, Mr Chen Xin. He discussed the city’s plans – taking advantage of its location – to establish an industrial park focused on promoting cooperation and exchanges with Macao and the Portuguese-speaking Countries; the facility is currently under construction.

The Forum Macao delegation’s visit to Beihai aimed to deepen ties between Beihai and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, promote the strengthening of friendly relationships between all involved, and further cooperation and exchange. The trip’s overall outcome was positive.

During the visit, the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao held the “Forum on Production Capacity Cooperation between Beihai, Macao and the Portuguese-speaking Countries”, in partnership with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Beihai. The event featured representatives from: the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Beihai; the Beihai Development and Reform Commission; the Beihai Commerce Bureau; the Beihai Investment Promotion Bureau; the Beihai Tourism Development Commission; the Beihai Agricultural Bureau; the Beihai Oceanic Administration Bureau; the Tieshan Port Industrial Zone Administration Commission; the Beihai Export Processing Zone; the Beihai Industrial Park; the Beihai Hi-Tech Zone; and the Beihai Tourism Group Co Ltd. The event was also attended by representatives of local enterprises.

During the Forum on Production Capacity Cooperation, the head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Beihai, Mr Lan Wei, delivered a presentation on Beihai’s investment environment, the structure of its industrial sector and plans for further industrial development. He discussed Beihai’s overall economic situation and the interest of local authorities in promoting production capacity cooperation. Mr Lan also said that promoting comprehensive economic and trade collaboration between Beihai, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries was a timely move, and in tune with the “Belt and Road” national initiative.

He added that the Beihai, Macao, Portuguese-Speaking Countries Industrial Park, being developed in Beihai, would further boost exchanges between Beihai and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. It would also help consolidate existing cooperation and offer new opportunities for win-win collaboration.

During the Forum on Production Capacity Cooperation between Beihai, Macao and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, Forum Macao Deputy Secretary-General Mr Ding briefed participants about the work of Forum Macao, Macao’s role as a cooperation platform, and about collaboration on production capacity. He stated that the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao had been actively liaising and cooperating with Mainland China authorities, namely at provincial and municipal levels, in order to provide a bridging role promoting collaboration between Mainland China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries. Mr Ding noted that Beihai was currently establishing the Beihai, Macao, Portuguese-Speaking Countries Industrial Park. He hoped all involved parties could take advantage of the facility, in order further to boost cooperation.

During the Forum on Production Capacity Cooperation, business representatives discussed strategies, expressing interest in promoting cooperation with the Portuguese-speaking Countries. Representatives from Portuguese-speaking Countries in Forum Macao also delivered presentations about the investment environment, policies and projects on production capacity in their respective nations.

The Forum Macao delegation also visited the Beihai Export Processing Zone, and the site of the Beihai, Macao, Portuguese-speaking Countries Industrial Park. There, the delegation was briefed about construction progress. In addition, the visitors had several exchange sessions with local business representatives.

The Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao organised the visit to Beihai and held the Forum on Production Capacity Cooperation between Beihai, Macao and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, to promote Macao’s bridging role in the field of economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. The visit was also designed to demonstrate how further exchanges between enterprises from Guangxi and those from Portuguese-speaking Countries could be stimulated, namely via the use of multilateral mechanisms such as Forum Macao and by making use of Macao’s unique advantages, including its heritage of language and culture.