To facilitate the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation of the 6th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao, and to promote practical collaboration between provinces in mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs), Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ji Xianzheng, led a delegation to Jiangsu between June 3 and 6. During the visit, the Permanent Secretariat and diplomatic envoys from PSCs to China met with cadres of Jiangsu province and Nantong city, while hosting the Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Meeting between Jiangsu (Nantong) and Portuguese-speaking Countries and inspecting eight local enterprises and institutions.

On June 4, the Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Meeting between Jiangsu (Nantong) and Portuguese-speaking Countries was held in Nantong, Jiangsu. Secretary-General, Ji Xianzheng, stated in his speech that the Permanent Secretariat has co-organized various editions of the Industrial and Commercial Summit between Jiangsu-Macao-Portuguese Speaking Countries with Jiangsu province, and the two sides have remained in close cooperation for a long time. The 6th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao was held in Macao in April this year, and the Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation was signed, which recognizes the positive role played by the Industrial and Commercial Summit between Jiangsu-Macao-Portuguese Speaking Countries in fostering cooperation between provinces and cities in mainland China and PSCs. It also supports provinces and cities in mainland China that are willing to utilize Macao’s platform to further develop economic and trade cooperation with PSCs. Speeches were also delivered by Vice Mayor of Nantong City, Li You; Member of the Leading Party Members Groups of the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government and Vice President of the Jiangsu People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Qian Wenhua; the Ambassador of Mozambique to China; the Ambassador of Portugal to China; and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to China. Representatives of PSCs made presentations on cooperation opportunities for their countries. Representatives from the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Cooperation and Development Fund and the business sector from Jiangsu province and Nantong city introduced their enterprises and cooperation interests during their exchanges.

The Permanent Secretariat and the delegation of diplomatic envoys of PSCs to China had a meeting with Secretary-General of the CPC Nantong Municipal Party Committee, Wu Xinming. They discussed issues of leveraging the mechanism of Forum Macao, giving full play to Macao’s platform and promoting practical cooperation among Jiangsu, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries.  In addition, members of the delegation visited the Nantong College of Science and Technology, Alpha ESS Co., Ltd, China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI), China Tianying Inc., Jiangsu Lianfa Textile Co., Ltd, and Jiangsu Pengfei Group.

They also met with Vice Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Zhang Lefu, and visited enterprises such as CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Rail Transport Co., Ltd.

For 13 years in a row, Jiangsu has held the Industrial and Commercial Summit between Jiangsu-Macao-Portuguese Speaking Countries in Macao, greatly supporting Macao’s development towards appropriate economic diversification. A large number of Jiangsu-based companies, including XCMG, Hengtong Group, and Longxin Construction Group, have forged close cooperation with PSCs. Cooperation in the field of education and vocational training between Jiangsu and PSCs is progressing smoothly. So far, Jiangsu has provided new opportunities for cooperation with PSCs as it is an important hub for developing new quality productive forces.