The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of World Economics and Politics (IWEP) has conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the achievements of Forum Macao over the first 15 years since its establishment, and the report was published officially on October 21. It was commissioned by the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-Operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macao) and the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government.

Deputy Secretary-General of Forum Macao, Mr Ding Tian, officiated at the report’s launch ceremony. The Director-General of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Sun Tong, also attended. Others present included: Beijing-based members of the diplomatic corps from Portuguese-speaking Countries; representatives from the Macao SAR Government; and the Director of IWEP, Mr Zhang Yuyan. 

The external evaluation process was launched in 2018, aiming to offer a full assessment of the achievements of Forum Macao since its establishment, and to provide suggestions regarding its future work. Mr Ding said in his speech that the evaluation report had gathered the views and input of the nine member-countries, as well as 10 other sources that had been involved in the external evaluation of Forum Macao, and that meaningful results had been achieved. He said he hoped the evaluation report would enable the public to know more about the development of Forum Macao, Macao’s role as a platform, and the history of the economic and trade relations between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries. 

In the context of fresh development opportunities brought about by the “Belt and Road” initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the external evaluation report was expected to inspire all parties to conduct further studies on the role of Forum Macao, and to deepen the relationship between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, so as to enhance the cooperation between the two sides and boost the development of various industries, said Mr Ding.

According to the external evaluation report, Forum Macao had created a new model of multilateral cooperation over the past 15 years. Having given full play to Macao’s role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, Forum Macao had been effective in promoting further economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. In order to enhance the future development of Forum Macao, the report recommended Forum Macao focus on a number of areas. They included: further promoting trade and investment; improving the development environment for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises; and expanding the areas for industrial cooperation. The other areas were: to introduce innovation to financial cooperation models; to strengthen educational cooperation and cultural exchanges; to push for greater collaboration on international development; to deepen the role of Macao as a Platform for Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries; and to refine Forum Macao’s multilateral cooperation mechanism.