Organized by the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) and coordinated by the City University of Macau (CityU Macau), the closing and certificate awarding ceremony of the “Seminar on Ports and Logistics in the Digital Age for Portuguese-speaking Countries” was held on July 12 at Macau Tower. Ji Xianzheng, Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao; Liu Jun, Rector of the City University of Macau; and Herlander Rossi da Costa Medeiros, the rotating class leader of the seminar, were present at the ceremony and delivered speeches.

Secretary-General Ji Xianzheng said in his speech that the 6th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao was successfully held in Macao in April this year, where ministers from participating countries signed the Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation. The Strategic Plan supports Forum Macao and participating countries in exploring cooperation in ports and strengthening the cultivation of maritime personnel and exchanges between maritime colleges. The seminar held by the Training Center of Forum Macao aimed to foster joint development between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs) through lectures and site visits to the ports and water transport in Macao, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen. The Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao will continue to promote exchanges and cooperation in the relevant field and look forward to working with PSCs to contribute to infrastructure connectivity between China and themselves.

Rector Liu Jun stated that the purpose of this seminar was to help participants gain practical knowledge. He also shared his view on how smart technologies can improve infrastructure and enhance the operational efficiency of ports and logistics. In addition, participants were invited to visit Shenzhen. They visited a number of leading enterprises, including Mawan Smart Port of China Merchants Group, Tencent Holdings Limited, and S.F. Holding Co., Ltd., among others, and learned about precious innovative experiences. As Macao is home to the key platform between China and PSCs, CityU Macau has proactively facilitated the above countries in their cooperation and is committed to forming partnerships and creating more opportunities for knowledge exchange and common development.

Herlander Rossi da Costa Medeiros, the rotating class leader of the seminar, thanked the team from Forum Macao and CityU Macau for launching the seminar. The seminar focused on new technologies and the highly efficient distribution services for ports and logistics, providing participants with rich and innovative experiences. Through professional theoretical courses, site visits to cutting-edge Chinese enterprises, and other activities, participants were provided with valuable opportunities in terms of experience sharing and cooperation between mainland China, Macao, and PSCs.

This seminar is the first edition held this year by the Training Center of Forum Macao. Participants were organized for exchanges and study in Macao, Shenzhen, and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin between July 1 and 14. It was participated in by 14 governmental officials, technicians, senior executives of organizations, and other representatives in the relevant field from Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe. They took part in themed lectures, experiential activities, and discussions regarding topics as follows: Macao’s Role as the China and PSCs Platform, Technologies for Ports and Logistics in the Digital Age, Sustainability and Efficiency of Port Logistics, Cybersecurity and Information Protection in Smart Ports and IoT Application in Port Operations. At the same time, they visited the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau, and the Marine and Water Bureau and held meetings with relevant associations. In Shenzhen, they went to top-notch enterprises, such as the Mawan Port, S.F. Holding Co., Ltd., Kdniao of Shenzhen Kuaijin Data Technology Service Co., Ltd., and Tencent Holdings Limited, among others. In the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, they held talks with relevant departments and organizations.

The ceremony was also attended by Li Huaying, Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Department and Head of the Commercial Office at the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R.; Teresa dos Santos, Vice Consul of the Consulate General of Angola in Macao; Aurélio de Jesus Chiconela, Chargé d’Affaires ad Interim of the Consulate General of Mozambique in Macao; Jacinto Luiz, Acting President of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute; Ip Kuai Peng, Vice Rector of the City University of Macau, and all the members of the Permanent Secretariat.