The ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the Centre for Studies on China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, of the University of International Business and Economics, and the launch of the “2021 Portuguese-speaking Countries Development Report” were respectively held in Beijing, on January 18. The Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), Mr Ji Xianzheng, was invited by the organisers to take part via videoconference in the anniversary ceremony and report launch, and to deliver a speech.

Among the attendees were: member of the Senior Expert Advisory Committee of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, Mr Wei Jianguo; Vice-President of the University of International Business and Economics, Mr Wang Qiang; Editor-in-Chief of the Social Sciences Academic Press (China), Mr Wang Limin; and Director of the Institute of Regional and International Studies of the University of International Business and Economics, Mr Wu Jun.

On behalf of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Secretary-General Mr Ji congratulated the Centre for Studies on China and Portuguese-speaking Countries on its 10th anniversary, and for the launch of the “2021 Portuguese-speaking Countries Development Report”.

Mr Ji mentioned in his speech that Forum Macao had brought together Mainland China, Macao, and eight Portuguese-speaking Countries, in order to carry out friendly cooperation exchanges in pursuit of mutual benefits, and this was thanks to the joint efforts of the countries participating in Forum Macao, and the committed support of the Macao SAR Government. During a period marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao had launched several cooperation initiatives in the fight against it, and had also promoted trade and cultural exchanges to boost friendship through mutual solidarity, said Mr Ji. These efforts had deepened the role of Macao as a platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, while advancing, via concrete actions, a community with a vision for a shared future for mankind.

On behalf of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Mr Ji also praised the work done by the Centre for Studies on China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, in regularly drafting policy proposals. He expressed hope that the Centre would continue to promote cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, taking it to a higher level, as well as promoting the integration of Macao into national development.

The Centre had edited and published various academic articles within the scope of the Portuguese-speaking Countries Development Report, with the support of entities such as the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao. The Centre had also organised a series of debates during the “Annual Conference on Joint studies of the Portuguese-speaking Countries”, highlighting the major areas for cooperation between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. The Centre had also provided an assessment of the stages of economic and social development of the Portuguese-speaking Countries, as well as the results of cooperation action within the framework of Forum Macao.

The Centre’s publications played an active role in promoting Forum Macao and Macao’s role as a platform, allowing the public to learn more about economic and trade relations between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries.