President Xi Jinping assures that the Chinese people are willing to work with people from all countries to “safeguard world peace and promote joint development”; Foreign Affairs Commissioner Liu Xianfa highlights Macau’s “irreplaceable role” in China’s diplomacy; and the sole candidate for Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai, aims to strengthen the export of Chinese technologies to Lusophone countries. In a perfect world, there’s nothing to criticize… But reality is far more complex than the narrative.
No major power – starting with the United States – is currently exempt from the obligation to do more and better for peace and development. The constant Western obstruction of China excuses many things; but I have always believed – and written – that Beijing is falling into the trap and losing a unique opportunity to establish itself as the dominant power, accepted by global public opinion. Faced with the repeated and serious mistakes of the Atlantic axis, dominated by Washington, the idea prevailed in Beijing that it’s not even worth pursuing greater openness and negotiation flexibility because the United States will always do everything to destroy China. The internal logic of this discourse is understandable, but it’s not the best path for China’s international positioning. The most positive aspect of Xi Jinping’s message is the recognition that reality needs this thesis, and it is essential that China maintains its commitment to multilateralism and peaceful globalization – “make business, not war.” Let’s hope that all sides can take more credible and secure steps in that direction. China needs this; the rest of the world does too.
As for Macau’s role in Chinese diplomacy, I couldn’t agree more with the strategy underpinning Liu Xianfa’s narrative. It makes perfect sense… but it doesn’t match reality. It’s true that the Lusophone platform has been essential for preserving diversity in Macau and even for the presence of the Portuguese language and Lusophone communities. However, Macau has done little to advance this diplomacy, mainly because the local elite has never wanted to take the risk of fully embracing a mission for which it lacks the know-how and autonomy. The driving principle was always the fear of paying the price in Beijing for any mistakes Macau might make; the outcome was to do little or nothing, protecting itself from the risk of doing wrong. If they truly want Macau at the center of Lusophone diplomacy, there is a need for a whole array of political, economic, cultural, and practical conditions.
Sam Hou Fai brings the good news of not abandoning the Lusophone project, even announcing concrete economic objectives. However, if the importance of bilingualism continues to diminish; if Lusophone communities do not have proper conditions for residence, work, growth, and expression; if investment attraction policies are not clear and consistent; if there are no solid bridges between the Greater Bay Area and Lusophone countries; Macau lacks the know-how and experience to boost the export of Chinese technologies to the Lusophone world. Regarding communication, another area Sam Hou Fai mentioned – and rightly so – PLATAFORMA has ten years of experience with everything that still needs to be done to make this a reality. We will be here for the next ten years to contribute as much as we can – if the city wants it.
*General Director of PLATAFORMA*
