A Delegation from the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), also known as Forum Macao, visited Beijing between January 28 and February 1. While in Beijing the Delegation, led by the Secretary-General of Forum Macao, Ms Xu Yingzhen, met with the Ambassadors to China of, respectively, Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and Timor-Leste.

The programme for the delegation’s visit to Beijing also included visits to the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs and the Bureau of Foreign Investment Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and to the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce (CCFNA). During the meetings, the attendants exchanged opinions on the Permanent Secretariat’s achievements in 2017, its 2018 work plan, and on the events planned for the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of Forum Macao.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ms Xu expressed her gratitude for the support given over the years to Forum Macao by the respective Ambassadors to China of the Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, and other entities. The Secretary-General gave a presentation about the main activities pursued by the Permanent Secretariat last year. Ms Xu also introduced the Permanent Secretariat’s programme for the current year, especially regarding the events for the 15th anniversary of the establishment of Forum Macao.

The Secretary-General said that, with the strong support from the member states of Forum Macao and the Macao SAR Government, the Permanent Secretariat has been implementing the ‘Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation’ (2017-2019) signed at the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao; as well as the ‘Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Co-operation in Production Capacity’; and the 18 measures announced by the Central Government.

The Permanent Secretariat continued to promote cultural exchanges and the cooperation in production capacity, trade and investment and the training of human resources. It also assisted the Macao SAR in the development of the Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. The Permanent Secretariat implemented successfully the main activities planned for 2017.

The next step will be: 1. to organise a series of events to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of Forum Macao, including the launching of a third-party evaluation of Forum Macao, organising activities to revisit the 15 years history of the body, and organising seminars to discuss the future prospects of Forum Macao; 2. Implement fully the “Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation” signed at the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao and the measures announced by the Government of China; 3. To promote economic and trade exchanges, working with the relevant bodies in respectively Mainland China, Portuguese-speaking Countries and Macao SAR to enhance the economic and commercial cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, so as to secure more fruitful results; and 4. Assist the Macao SAR Government with the development of the Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

The Ambassadors to China of the respective Portuguese-speaking Countries, as well as the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce praised the success of the economic and trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, hailing the results achieved by Forum Macao in the past 15 years. They also stressed the importance of Forum Macao and expressed their willingness better to support Macao as a platform between the two sides. They also reiterated their full support for the Permanent Secretariat, especially in the organisation of the events marking the 15th anniversary of the establishment of Forum Macao, in order to promote the mutual development of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.