Photo: Nanfang Plus
A delegation of think tank experts from eight Portuguese-speaking countries, including Angola and Brazil, visited the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin on May 28 as part of an initiative organized by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region.
The visit aimed to deepen ties between China and Portuguese-speaking nations by showcasing China’s modernization efforts and the strategic role of Hengqin in enhancing Macao SAR’s international connections. The delegation, which included university leaders, research institute heads, and central bank economists, toured the Hengqin Tianmu Qintai to gain insight into the shared cultural roots of Macao and Hengqin and review the cooperation zone’s development progress from 2021 to 2024.
Tomé Xavier Jerónimo, Vice-Rector of the National University of Timor-Leste, described the visit as “a new experience” and noted that the “Macao + Hengqin” model presents meaningful opportunities for Portuguese-speaking countries. He highlighted Macao’s language and cultural advantages as a natural bridge to the Chinese mainland and praised Hengqin for offering a broader platform for collaboration.
The island has been planning to expand its role as a hub for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, encouraging more enterprises from the Portuguese-speaking countries to establish a presence in the area.
Reporter: Zeng Xiangxing
Editor: Hu Nan, James, Shen He
