Macau’s Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai, stated at an official reception held in Madrid on April 22 that expanding cooperation with Spanish-speaking countries is a strategic priority for the Government of the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR).
During his remarks, the Chief Executive emphasized that, in 2025, the Macau SAR, in conjunction with the Executive Committee of the Hengqin Cooperation Zone, established the Economic and Trade Service Center between China and Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking Countries, as well as a development fund with an initial amount of 1 billion yuan (125 million euros). The goal is to expand Macau’s role as a connecting platform and foster new business opportunities.
The ceremony was attended by approximately 300 participants, including institutional and business representatives from Spain, members of the official Macau delegation, and figures from the Chinese community. Among the guests were the Vice President of the Spanish Senate, Concha Andreu Rodríguez, and the Chinese Ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing.
In his speech, Sam Hou Fai recalled that President Xi Jinping and King Felipe VI had set a strategic direction to strengthen the global partnership, including cooperation and the exploration of third-party markets, such as Latin America. He also highlighted the recent meeting between Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Beijing, which paved the way for new progress, emphasizing that his visit to Spain aims to build on that consensus and explore new opportunities.
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The head of the Macau Government also highlighted the region’s historic role as a bridge between China and the West, advocating for deeper ties with Spain in areas such as tourism, technological innovation, conventions and exhibitions, as well as sustainable development.
He also noted that Macau is aligned with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and is preparing its own third five-year plan, with a focus on opening up to the outside world and economic diversification. In this context, he invited Spanish companies to invest in mainland China, in Macau, and in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
For her part, Concha Andreu Rodríguez highlighted the positive state of relations between Spain and China, emphasizing the potential for cooperation in sectors such as technology, energy, tourism, and culture.
Ambassador Yao Jing reaffirmed the Central Government’s support for Macau’s internationalization and the promotion of partnerships with Spain and Latin American countries, underscoring the potential for joint growth.
During the reception, five cooperation agreements were signed between Macau entities and Spanish business organizations, with a view to strengthening economic relations and boosting bilateral exchange.
