On October 12, the Press Conference on Activities Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of Forum Macao was held at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex (the China-PSCs Complex), attended by the Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ji Xianzheng, the Deputy Secretaries-General, Paulo Jorge do Espírito Santo and Casimiro de Jesus Pinto, and the Coordinator of the Support Office, Teresa Mok, among others.

In Secretary-General Ji Xianzheng’s speech, he pointed out that the year 2023, which marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) (hereinafter referred to as “Forum Macao”), coincides with the 15th year of the Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. On the occasion of the celebration of these two events, the Permanent Secretariat organizes a series of activities in October, namely the High-Level Seminar on the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of Forum Macao and the exhibition Retrospective of the Establishment of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (Macao) - 20th Anniversary, and also provides support for the organization of the China-Portuguese-Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Expo (C-PLPEX) with the establishment of the China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Image Pavilion as well as for the organization of the 15th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. At this historic moment celebrating Forum Macao’s 20th anniversary, with the future and destiny closely linked between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the two parties commit themselves to continuously promoting reciprocal economic and trade co-operation. Persisting in win-win co-operation, supporting each other, and pursuing common development are Forum Macao’s development principles. The Permanent Secretariat will focus on the Action Plans approved at the Ministerial Conferences, strive to promote economic and trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and make good use of Portuguese-speaking countries’ unique elements to help build the Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in an endeavor to provide support for Macao’s “1+4” adequate economic diversification, assist Macao in integrating into the overall national development, and make new contributions to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Coordinator, Teresa Mok, also gave a presentation on the activities for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Forum Macao.

High-Level Seminar on the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries (Macao)

The High-Level Seminar on the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Forum Macao, which will take place on October 20 in the East Conference Hall of the China-PSCs Complex, is one of the highlights of Forum Macao’s 20th anniversary. Under the theme of “New Era, New Beginning”, the Seminar will be divided into several sessions, including themed speeches and three panels. Former and current leaders who have participated in the Ministerial Conferences, the ambassadors of Portuguese-speaking countries in China, and the representatives will be invited to exchange ideas on the 20th anniversary of Forum Macao and the construction of the platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The event will also invite government officials, experts, and academics from Mainland China, Portuguese-speaking countries, and Macao to discuss how to effectively promote the economic development of the participating countries through the advantages of Macao, science, technology and innovation, and modern finance, with an aim to gather opinions and suggestions for the future of Forum Macao based on its historical development.  

Retrospective of the Establishment of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) - 20th Anniversary

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Forum Macao, the exhibition “Retrospective of the Establishment of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) - 20th Anniversary” will be held at the Exhibition Pavilion of Macao in the China-PSCs Complex from October 20 to December 20. Via innovative and diversified methods, the exhibition hopes to present Forum Macao in a lively way to inform the public members about its progress over the past 20 years and its contributions in promoting exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries so as to deepen their understanding of Macao platform and Portuguese-speaking countries. The exhibition will feature six areas, i.e., the Forum Macao Infographic Area, the Interactive Area, the Video Exhibition, the Music Area, the Cooking Area, and the Cultural Area. The 3rd “Lusophone Polychromies” exhibition series will be held at the same venue, demonstrating distinctive masterpieces of brilliant artists from Portuguese-speaking countries.

China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Image Pavilion

The 1st China-Portuguese-Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Expo (C-PLPEX) will be held from October 19 to 22 at the Cotai Expo, Venetian Macao. As a supporting unit, the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao will set up a China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Image Pavilion at C-PLPEX to unveil unique images of China, the nine Portuguese-speaking countries, and Macao in the new era with a new beginning, further strengthening the people-to-people ties and the co-operation between the participating parties.

15th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries

The 15th Cultural Week of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, organized by the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, will start on October 19, with a series of brilliant activities to be held at the Macau Tower for five consecutive days. The Cultural Week, which has been held for 15 years, is a signature event for building Macao into a center for cultural exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. This year’s activities will feature five elements: singing and dancing, gastronomy, handicrafts, workshops, and an exhibition of works of plastic art. At the event, art troupes from China’s Yunnan Province and the nine Portuguese-speaking countries will bring lively music and dance performances; culinary demonstrations of Portuguese-speaking countries’ classic dishes and desserts will be provided by well-known chefs from various countries on site; artisans will present their unique exquisite craftsmanship; and there will also be booths exhibiting and selling products from Portuguese-speaking countries, such as food, beverages, and other featured products, as well as Macao’s souvenirs and cultural and creative products. The Cultural Week will also feature a series of cultural workshops and traditional games aimed at visitors of different ages on site. Members of the public may register for the workshops through the Cultural Week’s official website: https://semanacultural.forumchinaplp.org.mo/ or register in person at the venue. All Macao residents and tourists are invited to experience the unique charm of China’s and Portuguese-speaking countries’ cultures at the Macau Tower!