Macao’s top official is reportedly travelling to Lisbon to meet with Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, according to local media.
Platforma said last week that Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng’s visit will likely take place in April and is designed to reinforce cultural, economic and social relations with Portugal in a bid to allay concerns over the future of the Portuguese community in the SAR.
Citing unnamed sources, the outlet said that a central aspect of Ho’s agenda will be “the importance of the Portuguese language and culture as a differentiating factor and a competitive advantage of Macao in relation to other regions of China.”
[See more: Chinese ambassador says Portugal-China relations great example for China-Europe cooperation]
If confirmed, the trip will be Ho’s first official visit to Europe since taking office in December 2019.
Besides meeting de Sousa, Ho is expected to hold talks with other members of the Portuguese government as well as the Chinese ambassador in Lisbon.
The chief executive is also scheduled to meet with youngsters from Macao who are studying in Portugal.
