The Secretary-General of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao, Ms Xu Yingzhen, led a delegation on a visit to Beijing between February 24 and 27. The delegation met Ambassadors to China of, respectively, Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste.

The delegation also visited the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China. All participants exchanged opinions on the Permanent Secretariat’s achievements in 2018, its 2019 work plan, and preparations for the 6th Ministerial Conference.

During the visit, Ms Xu expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Permanent Secretariat, 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 – especially regarding the events for the 15th anniversary of the establishment of Forum Macao. She also outlined the work plan for 2019, the work done on implementation of the measures mentioned at the 5th Ministerial Conference and the preparations for the6th Ministerial Conference.

Ms Xu said that in 2018, the Permanent Secretariat had been working closely with other stakeholders, which had producedfruitful results in various areas covered under the framework of Forum Macao. In the past year, the Permanent Secretariat had been implementing the ‘Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Co-operation’ signed at the 5th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao; as well as the measures announced under the ‘Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Co-operation in Production Capacity’.

The Permanent Secretariat had been enlarging the “Circle of Friends” and conducting exchanges with more Chinese provinces and municipalities, aiming to enhance Chinese firms’ knowledge of Portuguese-speaking Countries. For the first time, the Permanent Secretariat had travelled in 2018 to all the Portuguese-speaking Countries and introduced Forum Macao and Macao’s platform role to companies within those countries, thus proactively expanding the areas and means of cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Forum Macao continues launching collaboration efforts in the field of human resources and in promoting cultural exchange among the members of the platform. In the meantime, an external assessment has started of Forum Macao’s work since its establishment 15 years ago. It will examine all past experiences and consider the likely development trend for the organisation. The Permanent Secretariat promoted the construction in Macao of the “Trade and Economic Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Complex”, organised and participate in a series of trade and economic activities, and fulfilled the work plan of 2018.

The Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao will, first, continue to act as the bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, i.e., promote trade and investment, pursue cooperation on enhancing production capacity; engage in cultural exchange between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries; and support the development of Macao’s platform role. Second, Forum Macao will fully implement the measures announced at the5th Ministerial Conference and prepare for the 6th Ministerial Conference. Third, Forum Macao will assist in seizing the opportunities for development in the new era, and in doing so integrate Macao in the development framework of the country; promote international cultural exchange; and work to advance Macao’s position in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as well as in relation to the “Belt and Road” initiative. Such effort would serve proactively to enhance in-depth integration between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries in terms of trade and economic cooperation. Fourth Forum Macao would assist the Macao SAR Government in the continuing effort to develop the “Trade and Economic Co-operation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Complex”.

Ambassadors to China of the Portuguese-speaking Countries, and the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce, respectively gave high praise regarding the achievements of the trade and economic cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. They also affirmed the positive outcome of Forum Macao’s work throughout its initial 15 years. They also praised Forum Macao’s role and affirmed their willingness to support the construction of Macao’s platform role and noted they would offer ongoing support for the Permanent Secretariat’s work plans, especially the preparation work for the 6th Ministerial Conference, and the continual promotion of the mutual development and prosperity of China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.