On the morning of April 25 (Belgian time), Macau’s Chief Executive, Sam Hou Fai, met in Brussels with the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Younous Omarjee, in a meeting focused on strengthening and expanding the economic and trade partnership between Macau and the European Union (EU), as well as increasing people-to-people exchanges and enhancing the city’s role as a platform in China-EU relations.
During the meeting, Sam Hou Fai presented the main achievements of Macau’s development, highlighting social stability, sustained economic growth, and the progressive improvement of the population’s well-being under the implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle. He also emphasized the city’s commitment to opening up to the outside world and deepening international cooperation.
The Chief Executive expressed his hope that this visit would contribute to a better understanding by the European Parliament of the “one country, two systems” model, while advocating for the strengthening of relations between China and the European Union. He emphasized that the Government is aligned with national strategic guidelines, promoting the development of “one hub, one platform, one base” and driving economic diversification.
In this context, he highlighted concrete opportunities for cooperation with the EU in areas such as technological innovation, green industries, and collaboration between universities, research centers, and businesses, aiming for mutual benefits within the current framework of economic openness.
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Sam Hou Fai also recalled the long-standing relationship between Macau and Europe, highlighting the cooperation agreement signed in 1992 with the then European Economic Community, which laid the foundation for a solid trade partnership. He advocated strengthening this relationship and expressed interest in reviving the EU-Macao Joint Committee mechanism, hoping to count on the support of the European Parliament.
He added that Macao will continue to enhance its role as a platform, linking it to the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, with a view to deepening cooperation with the EU in the economic, tourism, and cultural sectors.
For his part, Younous Omarjee welcomed the Macau delegation and highlighted the region’s unique role, expressing support for strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding between China and the European Union. He emphasized that Macao possesses unique advantages, both due to the “one country, two systems” principle and its role as a platform for cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries, which is currently expanding.
The Vice-President of the European Parliament also highlighted Macau’s potential to promote cultural and artistic exchange with Europe, as well as to deepen cooperation in strategic areas such as innovation, the green economy, transportation, logistics, conventions and exhibitions, and financial services.
Also attending the meeting were China’s Head of Mission to the European Union, Cai Run; the Head of the Chief Executive’s Office, Chan Kak; and the Head of the Macao Economic and Trade Delegation to the EU in Brussels, Lúcia Abrantes dos Santos, among other dignitaries.
