A Delegation from the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao visited Beijing between March 7 and 9, 2016. It was led by the Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Mr Chang Hexi.

The Delegation held meetings with the Ambassadors to Beijing of respectively, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor.

The Delegation also paid a visit to China’s Ministry of Commerce, and met with the team from China Development Bank’s Fund for Development Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

During those meetings Mr Chang expressed — in name of the Permanent Secretariat — his gratitude for the support provided to the Permanent Secretariat by the Ambassadors from Portuguese-speaking Countries and by China’s Ministry of Commerce.

He also outlined the main initiatives developed last year by the Permanent Secretariat. Additionally the parties exchanged views on the preparatory work for the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao.

The Ambassadors from Portuguese-speaking Countries respectively stressed the importance their individual national governments attached to Macao’s role as a platform for trade and co-operation. They also hailed the accomplishments of Forum Macao during its 13 years of existence.

The Ambassadors restated their full support for the work of the Permanent Secretariat, mentioning in particular their support for the preparatory works of the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao. It is due to be held this year.

Members of the Delegation of the Permanent Secretariat visiting Beijing included the Deputy Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao – appointed by Portuguese-speaking Countries – Mr Vicente de Jesus Manuel; the Coordinator of the Executive Office of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ms Zhang Jie; the Coordinator of the Support Office to the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ms Cristina Morais; the Coordinator of the Liaison Office of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao and Representative of Guinea-Bissau at the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Mr Malam Becker Camará. Also in the delegation were the Representatives of Portuguese-speaking Countries at the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, namely: Mr Belarmino Barbosa of Angola; Mr Mário Vicente of Cape Verde; Ms Francisca Reino of Mozambique; Ms Maria João Bonifácio, representing Portugal in the Delegation; Mr Danilo Henriques of East Timor. The Advisor of the Executive Office Mr Zheng Jiansheng, was also in the delegation.