Although Lisbon is moving to scrap residency rights for buyers of real estate, it is continuing to permit them for other kinds of investors.
Speaking in response to questions from lawmakers, António Costa said “mutual respect” characterised Sino-Portuguese ties.
The move is bound to upset Beijing, which has been investing billions of dollars in Portugal in sectors from energy to banking and insurance.
Commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children in Portugal in 1917, the procession is considered part of Macao’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The government says the scheme is intended to boost tourism and business travel to the country, one of the fastest growing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is the first Portuguese leader to hint at contrition for imperialism but he offered no specifics on a formal apology or reparations.
The first Portugal-Brazil summit since 2016 is expected to yield more than a dozen bilateral agreements and reinforce cultural and diplomatic ties.
During his audience with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Ho was given an honour for services rendered to Portugal.