Members of the newly formed Cultural Development Consultative Committee in Macao have called for the Cultural Affairs Bureau there to keep on promoting cultural exchanges between China and the Portuguese-speaking world, the bureau says.

The calls were made at the first meeting of the committee, held last Thursday, according to a written statement issued by the bureau.

The statement quotes members as saying Macao should continue to make the most of its unique cultural characteristics.

Ten homes built in a traditional Portuguese style of architecture in the Mong Há district will be the first structures to be restored in a trial scheme to rehabilitate and breathe new life into historical buildings in Macao, a joint endeavour by the bureau, private enterprises and associations, the statement quotes Cultural Affairs Bureau President Leong Wai Man as telling the meeting.