Delegates from Forum Macao’s member countries gathered on Saturday evening for a formal dinner welcoming them to the organisation’s 6th Ministerial Conference, which officially kicked off on Sunday.
In an address to the gathering, China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao quoted a proverb on the nature of partnership – “a partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance” – and said that Forum Macao was “centred on peace and development, and adhered to the spirit of partnership that values harmony in diversity.”
He added that the Ministry of Commerce would continue to support Macao as a Sino-Lusophone platform, “deepening exchanges and cooperation with the participating countries and regions.”
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Macao’s Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng also addressed the delegates, noting that Forum Macao was strengthening international ties as the global economy faced “profound changes”.
Some 850 people attended the welcome dinner, which was held at the International Convention Centre of the Macao East Asian Games Dome.
Guests included the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Li Hongzhong, and representatives of all of the Portuguese-speaking countries (Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Portugal, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Timor-Leste, Cabo Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe).
