Sam Hou Fai promised to create the Centre for Cooperation and Exchange of Science and Technology between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries and to establish a platform for the transfer of technology and innovation with Portuguese-speaking countries.
The guarantee is part of the first Guidelines for Government Action (LAG) of the new head of government, who took office on 20 December, and were presented today in the Legislative Assembly.
Before the local parliament, Sam Hou Fai also promised to strengthen co-operation with “scientific and technological innovation entities” from Portuguese-speaking countries, including universities, companies, incubators and venture capital funds.
“We will accurately identify companies from Portuguese Language Countries and expand business abroad in collaboration with the business sector,” added the leader of the Macau government.
Sam Hou Fai, the Chinese region’s first Portuguese-speaking leader, also advocated incentives for young Portuguese-speakers who want to continue their studies at universities in Macau.
In the opposite direction, the authorities will expand a Portuguese language learning programme aimed at training students to study or carry out scientific research at universities in Portugal.
(Photo by KIM KYUNG-HOON / POOL / AFP)
In 2024, the then secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Elsie Ao Ieong, launched a four-year Portuguese language training programme to create “a good foundation early on” for students wishing to pursue studies in Portugal.
In August 2023, the former chief executive said that the Chinese region wanted to extend the number of primary schools where children can “learn Portuguese from an early age” to “more than 40”.
Ho Iat Seng emphasised that of the 77 primary schools, 36 had Portuguese language classes, “a significant increase on ten years ago”.
Today, at a press conference following the presentation of the Guidelines for Government Action, Sam Hou Fai praised Macau’s “very good relationship” with Angola and also highlighted Mozambique. “These are huge countries,” he emphasised.
The head of government mentioned the possibility of opening economic, commercial, tourist and cultural offices in Portuguese-speaking countries, similar to Macau’s current office in Lisbon.
But Sam Hou Fai also looked beyond the Portuguese-speaking world and argued for the importance of strengthening “economic and financial co-operation and humanistic and cultural exchange” with Spanish-speaking countries.
The government leader said he might take advantage of a visit to Portugal, scheduled for after the legislative elections on 18 May, to go to Spain and ‘initiate contacts’.
Plataforma with Lusa
