On May 22, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) (hereinafter referred to as “Forum Macao”), Danilo Henriques, took part in an event in Beijing to celebrate the Portuguese Language and Culture Day of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP) co-organized by the embassies of Portuguese-speaking countries in China. Around 500 people attended the event, including ambassadors and diplomats of Portuguese-speaking countries to China, representatives from ministries and commissions of the Chinese government, entrepreneurs, scholars, as well as teachers and students from universities in mainland China and the Macao SAR.

The Ambassador of São Tomé and Príncipe to China, Isabel Domingos, and the Deputy Secretary-General, Danilo Henriques, respectively gave their speeches at this occasion. Deputy Secretary-General Danilo Henriques said that cultural exchanges and cooperation are the key areas in the “Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation”, which was signed by the participating countries in the 6th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao in Macao in April this year. He pointed out that the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao will continue to support the organization of activities such as the Portuguese Language and Culture Day of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, among others, playing a proactive role in promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. He added that Macao boasts a unique position in terms of culture, history, and language, which provides a wider room for development and enhances its role as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries in economic, commercial, and cultural exchanges. In her speech, the Ambassador of São Tomé and Príncipe to China, Isabel Domingos, expressed the expectation of deepening the exchanges and cooperation in the cultural and humanistic fields between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

The event featured brilliant artistic and cultural performances presented by cultural groups from Portuguese-speaking countries, where students majoring in Portuguese language from universities in mainland China joined them in singing and dancing with great enthusiasm. The event was a success in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.