Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met on April 18 in Lisbon with approximately 110 students from Macao pursuing higher education in Portugal, assuring them that the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) will continue to support their academic and personal development.
At the meeting, one of the main highlights was the setting of three expectations for the students. First, the Chief Executive urged them to focus on their studies and strengthen their skills, particularly in intercultural communication.
Second, he encouraged the young people to broaden their horizons and take on the role of a bridge between different cultures, promoting the history of China and Macao.
Finally, he emphasized the importance of maintaining ties with China and Macao, expressing the expectation that they return to the territory after completing their studies to apply the knowledge they have acquired.
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Sam Hou Fai also noted that the Macau SAR Government will continue to improve support services for students abroad, strengthening ties with young people and supporting them throughout their journey.
The Chief Executive recalled the historical ties between Macau and Portugal, evident in language, culture, law, and architecture, emphasizing that studying in Portugal represents not only an academic choice but also a mission to ensure the continuity and innovation of that relationship.
On the strategic front, he noted the launch of the 15th National Five-Year Plan and the implementation of Macau’s third Five-Year Plan, which includes the construction of “One Center, One Platform, One Base” and the development of a hub for qualified professionals. In this context, he highlighted the need for bilingual professionals, fluent in both Chinese and Portuguese, to support cooperation with lusophone countries.
The official also encouraged students to participate in strategic projects such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, noting that the Government has already launched measures to support the return and integration of qualified young people.
In turn, the student representative, Cheong Man Kei, thanked the government for its support and highlighted the benefits of studying in Portugal, particularly in terms of language and culture. Several students expressed their intention to return to Macao and contribute to the territory’s development, as well as to strengthen its role as a bridge between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
Prior to the meeting, Sam Hou Fai attended the opening of the exhibition “Reflections of the Sea of Mirrors: Exhibition on 500 Years of Exchange between Chinese and Western Civilizations in Macau” in Lisbon, underscoring the cultural dimension of the official visit.
