Macao bridges China, Portuguese-speaking nations

When the central government assigned the Macao Special Administrative Region to play the role of a Sino-Lusophone platform following the establishment of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and the Portuguese-Speaking Countries in 2003, it added a whole new dimension to the SAR's contribution to overall national development and the country's foreign relations. Since then, trade and investment have skyrocketed, people-to-people exchanges increased, and the cooperation agenda expanded, with the ministerial conferences being held in Macao, where the forum's permanent secretariat is located.

Over the past two decades, Macao has hosted countless exhibitions, seminars, conferences, trade shows, meetings, workshops, training programs and other events, bringing together tens of thousands of business leaders, professionals, officials and artists, thus making it the world's premier Sino-Lusophone people-to-people hub. However, expanding Macao's role as a Sino-Lusophone platform depends on the central government's regional and national development policies and projects for the benefit of all stakeholders.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the "Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone" in Hengqin play a pivotal role in this regard. By leveraging these opportunities, Macao can tap into a market of more than 80 million people with an economic output of 14 trillion yuan ($1.93 trillion). This vision is mirrored in the 2019 Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which highlights Macao's "one center-one platform-one base" function within the GBA, with its Lusophone connection being a pivotal asset.

More recently, the 6th Ministerial Conference of Forum Macao in April approved the new "Strategic Plan for Economic and Trade Cooperation (2024-27)", expressing support for Macao's role as a platform within the GBA, with the focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, science and technology, tourism and culture, among other fields.

How can this potential be fully realized? How can Macao's role as a Sino-Lusophone platform be strengthened?

The overall development policies outlined by the central authorities provide a solid foundation upon which further substantial progress could be built.

The joint development and integration of Hengqin can serve as a testing ground for Macao to play an enhanced role in the GBA. Attracting value-added companies from Lusophone countries to set up base in the cooperation zone is key to elevating the platform and maximizing customs arrangements. While Hengqin takes center stage, companies and business leaders from Lusophone countries may also find opportunities in other GBA locations such as Guangzhou's Nansha district or Qianhai in Shenzhen, alongside other cities in the GBA. As this is a two-way street, Macao's accumulated experience in interacting with Portuguese-speaking countries presents an opportunity to develop market expertise that can be used by mainland companies to expand their operations overseas.

Tourism, human resources training and other events spanning both Macao and Hengqin are key assets to be further developed. Additionally, forging new city-to-city cooperation arrangements in various fields can expand networks and common interests within the China-Portuguese-speaking countries' "galaxy".

Deeper mutual understanding of different cultures, societies and specific development contexts of the Portuguese-speaking countries and the Greater Bay Area, greater focus on small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups, and working together to address global issues such as combating climate change and realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals constitute a cornerstone of a "high-quality cooperation model". It is a model grounded in pragmatism, shared interests, human capital mobility, a flexible and market-oriented approach, and concrete, ambitious — yet realistic — aims. This is important to avoid capabilities-expectations gaps.

Besides, it is important to stay focused on the cooperation agenda and ward off third-party actors who might want to weaken the platform and affect the growing ties between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

For the Macao SAR, celebrating the 25th anniversary of its return to China this year, it's about rolling up the sleeves, rising to the challenges, seizing the opportunities, and opening more doors.

The author is director of Macau Business. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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