On April 19, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met in Lisbon with Yang Yirui, China’s ambassador to Portugal, where they exchanged views on further strengthening exchanges and cooperation between Macau and Portugal in various fields, as well as on enhancing Macao’s role as a platform serving national development.
During the meeting, cooperation between Macau and Portugal was highlighted as one of the central themes of the official visit, with both sides emphasizing the potential for deepening economic, cultural, and institutional relations by building on the existing historical foundation.
Sam Hou Fai noted that the choice of Portugal as the first destination for the current administration of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) holds strategic significance, in line with President Xi Jinping’s directives and the strengthening of cooperation between the leaders of China and Portugal.
The official also highlighted the intention to demonstrate internationally the results of implementing the “one country, two systems” principle, as well as to promote development opportunities in Macau and in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Read also: Sam Hou Fai’s visit to Lisbon serves strategy of being a platform
The Chief Executive also emphasized that the visit includes a business delegation composed of representatives from companies in mainland China, as part of a joint cooperation model aimed at exploring foreign markets and strengthening Macao’s integration into the national development strategy.
For his part, Yang Yirui noted that the visit is expected to yield concrete results, highlighting the historical ties between Macau and Portugal and the importance of continuing to deepen bilateral cooperation. The diplomat also praised Macau’s track record in implementing the “one country, two systems” principle and reiterated support for its role as a bridge between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
The ambassador also underscored the importance of developing the Hengqin Cooperation Zone, reaffirming support for the Macau SAR Government in promoting strategic projects and integrating Macao into national development.
