Investment in Portuguese-speaking Countries is a vital part of Chinese state-owned power company China Three Gorges’ (CTG’s), business, the firm’s Vice-President, Lin Xuchue, said on Thursday in Beijing.

“We have the ambition of becoming world leaders in the green energy sector,” Mr Lin said, as quoted by Portuguese news agency Lusa.

“Two of the most important projects and countries in this field” are in Portuguese-speaking Countries, namely Portugal and Brazil, said the executive.

Mr Lin said he first understood the importance of the Portuguese language for the company’s business when CTG acquired Portuguese assets during a privatisation exercise conducted by that country. In 2012 CTG acquired 21.35 percent of Portuguese energy firm EDP. It was one of the biggest Chinese investments in Europe so far according to Lusa.

In 2015, a venture called EDP-Renováveis sold a 49 percent stake in its Brazilian wind energy facilities to CWEI-Brasil, an entity controlled by CTG. Last month CTG also secured the right to operate two power stations in Brazil.

Mr Lin made his remarks on the sidelines of a ceremony that marked the first edition of the “Tomás Pereira Award” scheme, which recognises high-achieving Chinese students that are learning Portuguese. The Embassy of Portugal in Beijing, in partnership with Portuguese and Chinese higher education institutions, chose this year’s recipients. The scheme will be held on a yearly basis from now on.

Four awardees will have the chance to attend an intensive summer course in the language in Portugal. The course is sponsored by CTG.

According to Lusa, nearly 1,600 students are currently enrolled on degree courses in Portuguese language at 21 universities across mainland China.