"Entrepreneurs Meeting for Commercial and Economic Co-operation Between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries – 2007 - Maputo" will be held on April, 2007

“Entrepreneurs Meeting for Commercial and Economic Co-operation Between China and Portuguese Speaking Countries – 2007 - Maputo”will be held in Mozambique, Maputo on 18^th~20^th April, 2007. Its aim is to develop and strengthen the cooperative relationship between the entrepreneurs of China, Macao and Portuguese Speaking Counties and to deepen the trade relationship between these countries. PIM will organize a business of delegation to Maputo to participate this event.

Second Ministerial Conference closes

2006-09-25 14:33:00
Source : Government Information Bureau

The curtain on the two-day Second Ministerial Conference of the China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Cooperation Forum in Macao fell this morning with an action plan that covered a wide range of areas for economic co-operation signed by China and seven Lusophone countries.

The conference, which brought together ministerial-level officials and businesspeople from China, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, East Timor and Brazil, provided a platform for them to further their co-operation.

In his closing remarks, the Minister of Commerce, Mr Bo Xilai, said the event successfully brought partnership between the participating countries to new heights.

According to the objectives inscribed in the action plan, the participating countries wil target doubling the volume of trade and amount of investment between them within the next three years.

The minister also expressed his gratitude for the support of the Macao SAR Government for the conference and the related events.

On behalf of the seven Portuguese-speaking countries, the Minister of Economy, Growth and Competitiveness of Cape Verde, Mr João Pereira da Silva, said that the potential for the Lusophone countries was rising, with the amount of bilateral and multi-lateral volume of trade continuing to rise.

The ministerial-level officials and their delegation left Macao this morning for the Expo Central China 2006 in Changsha, Hunan Province.

Macao will stage the next ministerial conference in 2009.

China and seven Lusophone countries sign economic co-operation plan

2006-09-24 23:07:00
Source : Government Information Bureau

China and seven Portuguese-speaking countries today signed an action plan to further co-operate in economic, trade, infrastructure and a wide range of areas.

The accord was signed at the Second Ministerial Conference of China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Cooperation Forum held in Macao today.

The protocol, titled 'The Economic and Commercial Co-operation Action Plan between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries', was signed by the Minister of Commerce, Mr Bo Xilai, and ministerial-level officials from seven Portuguese-speaking countries, namely Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, East Timor and Brazil.

In the conference, ministers from China and the Lusophone countries reviewed their partnership in the past three years and highly valued the results obtained.

The action plan, which would be implemented from 2007 to 2009, covered a number of measures for stepping up co-operation in areas such as trading, investment, agriculture, fishery, infrastructure, natural resources and training of human resources.

Moreover, the ministers agreed that the member countries and Macao should encourage their enterprises to co-operate in different areas, and Macao would continue to host the Third Ministerial Conference in 2009, and go on to function as the economic platform for China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, for the betterment of their partnership in economic areas.

The closing ceremony of the Second Ministerial Conference will be held tomorrow morning, to be followed by a press conference attended by Mr Bo and the ministerial-level officials from the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Macao forges business platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries

2006-09-24 15:00:00
Source : Government Information Bureau

The holding of the Second Ministerial Conference of China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Cooperation Forum in Macao would promote partnership between the participating countries, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today.

Mr Ho said this as he addressed some 900 guests from the Central Government, including the Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Wei Jianguo, as well as officials from the Portuguese-speaking countries, representatives from a number of international institutes, business chambers and enterprises.

The advantage of traditionally enjoying a close relationship with the Portuguese-speaking countries, said Mr Ho, enabled Macao to promote the partnership with these countries in trade and other areas.

He said that with the mechanism of the Cooperation Forum and the efforts from all parties, Macao's function as a business platform was well recognised.

Bright prospect for Sino-Lusophone cooperation: Hua

2006-09-24 14:00:00
Source : Government Information Bureau

The prospect for Sino-Lusophone trade cooperation was bright in the wake of strong growth potentials on both sides, said State Councillor and State Council Secretary General, Mr Hua Jianmin, at this morning's opening of the Second Ministerial conference of the Sino-Lusophone Forum.

Addressing the 1000-strong gathering composed of trade ministers, officials and entrepreneurs from China and seven Lusophone countries (Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and East Timor), Mr Hua also spoke highly of Macao's efforts in facilitating the implementation of the first Sino-Lusophone cooperation action plan signed three years ago.

Looking ahead, the State Councillor put forward four suggestions to strengthen Sino-Lusophone ties, namely expanding the scale of economic cooperation, opening up more areas of exchange, enhancing human resource collaboration and perfecting the Forum cooperation mechanism.

He said he hoped that these efforts would help bilateral trade between China and the seven Lusophone countries reach between US$45 to US$50 billion by 2009, and help double bilateral investments over the next three years.

Mr Hua also announced that the Chinese government would provide RMB800 million in preferential loans to Lusophone countries in Asia and Africa over the next three years to finance infrastructure projects in these countries.

Macao's unique role as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries was also reaffirmed by Mr Hua, who called attention to the region's historical ties with the Lusophone world and its close link with the international business community.

Second Sino-Lusophone Forum opens

2006-09-24 13:00:00
Source : Government Information Bureau

Second Ministerial Conference of the Economic Cooperation Forum between China and Portuguese-speaking countries opened this morning at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, with a ceremony officiated by State Councillor and State Council Secretary General, Mr Hua Jianmin, under the theme 'Deeper Cooperation and Mutual Development'.

In his opening speech, Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah told the Forum that favourable factors such as the Closer Economical Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Macao's closer integration with the Pan-Pearl River Delta and its inscription on the World Heritage List, had made the territory better equipped as a business services platform.

As the Forum gradually grew in prominence and influence, Macao's role as a bridge and springboard also gained increasing attention and recognition, said the Chief Executive.

For his part, Minister of Commerce, Mr Bo Xilai said the volume of trade between China and the Lusophone countries would reach US$33 billlion this year, showing significant growth compared with the US$11 billlion in 2003.

Mr Bo's counterparts from the seven Lusophone countries, namely Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, East Timor and Brazil, also addressed the Forum in the opening ceremony.

The Vice Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade of Brazil, Mr Ivan Ramalho, said that Brazil and China could complement each other in a number of industries.

The Minister of Public Works, Transportation and Communication of Portugal, Mr Mário Lino, said co-operation between China and Portugal in various areas had enhanced since the last ministerial conference in 2003, and he expected yet better results in the next three years.

The Minister of Commerce of Angola, Mr Joaquim Muafumua, the Minister of Economy, Growth and Competitiveness of Cape Verde, Mr João Pereira da Silva, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Handicraft of Guinea Bissau, Mr Domingos Pascoal Baticã, the Minister of Energy of Mozambique, Mr Salvador Namburete, and the Minister of Development of East Timor, Mr Areanjo da Silva expressed the importance they placed on the relationship with China and their desire to attract further investment from businesspeople in China.

This year's event is aimed at enhancing dialogue on sustainable development and cooperation on different fronts between China and the Portuguese-speaking bloc.

Since the Forum's first ministerial conference held in Macao three years ago, Sino-Lusophone trade and investments have expanded rapidly, with bilateral trade breaking the US$20 billion mark for the first time last year.

The Second Ministerial Conference will end tomorrow, to be followed by the Expo Central China 2006, in Changsha, Hunan.

The Chief Executive, the Minister of Commerce and the ministerial-level officials of the Lusophone countries are scheduled to leave Macao tomorrow for the exposition in Changsha.

Chief Executive continues Portugal visit

2006-06-23 23:48:00
Source : Government Information Bureau

(Macao 23 June 2006) The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah today (Lisbon time) met with the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Mr Diogo Freitas do Amaral.
Mr Ho and Mr Amaral spoke to the press after the meeting, and both concurred that Macao would in the future continue to serve as the platform between China and Portugal, as well as other European countries.
Mr Amaral said he was glad to receive the highest executive of Macao, a territory that had links with Portugal for many years and that Portugal have the strengthen to intensify political, economic and cultural relations with Macao.
Mr Ho said he was grateful for the hospitality of the Portuguese Government during his second visit to the country as the Chief Executive of Macao, and also grateful for Portugal’s support to the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, and that he believe the second Forum, which is to be held in Macao in September, would be a definite success with Portugal’s support.
During the meeting, they signed a tax exemption agreement for representative offices and delegations in each other’s territory.
Afterward, Mr Ho met with the President of the National Assembly of Portugal, Mr Jaime Gama and attended a luncheon hosted by Mr Gama.
In the afternoon, Mr Ho met with the Minister of Public Works, Transports and Communications of Portugal. Mr Mário Lino.
In the evening, Mr Ho will host a reception at the Ritz Hotel in Lisbon and later attend a banquet hosted by the Ambassador of China to Portugal, Mr Ma Enhan.

Second China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Cooperation Forum

2006-05-17 18:35:00
Source : Government Information Bureau

The second China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Cooperation Forum (Macao) will be held in Macao on 25-26 September 2006.

Ministerial-level official from both China and Portuguese-speaking countries, entrepreneurs and business organisations will participate in the forum.

Under the theme of "Strengthen Cooperation, Common Development", there will be a retrospective analysis of the implementation of the “Action Plan for Economic and Trade Cooperation”, which was approved in the first Ministerial Conference.

Moreover, a string of objectives is expected to be set for the next three years (2007-2009).

The First China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Economic Cooperation Forum (Macao) was held in Macao in October 2003. The forum, which is held every three years, promotes trade between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries by having Macao as a commercial platform.

Macao’s mediating role becoming more evident

2005-09-06 18:44:00

Source :GCS
The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today that Macao’s role as the mediator between China and Portuguese-speaking countries was becoming more evident, as reflected by the increase of companies setting up here.
In his welcome speech at the Portuguese-speaking Countries Investment Environments and Policies Presentation held in Macao, Mr Ho pointed out that there had been an increase in the number of businesses from Portuguese-speaking countries set up in Macao this year.
This showed that entrepreneurs from those countries valued the China market and approved of Macao’s role as the economic and trade platform, Mr Ho told the delegates, which included ministers from many Portuguese-speaking countries.
The Chief Executive said that since the first “Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries” in 2003, the Permanent Secretariat for the forum had organised a series of events in accordance with the “Economic And Trade Cooperation Action Plan”, signed upon the closing of the forum, and had achieved significant results.
“Macao has been exerting its advantage to carry out its mediating role in full swing,” said Mr Ho. He said the presentation would advance the understanding in Investment Environments and Policies in Portuguese-speaking Countries, and promotes the co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.
He said that the SAR Government was actively preparing for the Second “Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, which would be held in Macao next year, under the guidance and support of the Central Government.
After the presentation, the ministers will go on to Xiamen for the 9th China International Fair for Investment and Trade”. During their stay in Xiamen, they will meet entrepreneurs from the Mainland and promote Investment Environments and Policies in Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Brazil visit a huge success

2005-06-26 13:27:00

Source :GCS
The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam, today described the Chief Executive’s visit to Brazil as a huge success and said it was fruitful in many ways.
Speaking in Rio de Janeiro on 25 June (Brazil time), Mr Tam said: “The Brazilian President and the ministers have expressed their recognition of Macao as a mediator between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, a gateway to the China market, especially the South China region.
“At the same time, all the state governments have expressed their interests in strengthening relations with Macao.”
Mr Tam said it was encouraging to see the business associations of Macao and Brazil sign agreements on economic co-operation.
He also noted that the contacts with the Casas de Macau and other international Macanese societies had brought new progress in the links between Macao and the overseas Macanese communities. “These links will be helpful in the future in promoting Macao internationally.”
The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and the Macao delegation arrived at Rio de Janeiro, the last leg of six-day visit to Brazil, in the evening of 24 June (Brazil time).
In the morning of 25 June (Brazil time) Mr Ho met with the Deputy Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Mr Luiz Conde.
In the afternoon, Mr Ho and the delegation visited two of the most famous landmarks of Rio de Janeiro -- Mount Corcovado and Mount Pao de Acucar -- before leaving the country in the evening.

Chief Executive continues visit in Brazil

2005-06-24 23:09:00

Source :GCS
The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and the Macao delegation are continuing with their official visit to Brazil, arriving in the city of Manaus on 23 June (Brazil time) where they met the Acting Governor of the State of Amazon, Mr Arnaldo Campelo Carpinteiro Peres.
In the same evening, the delegation attended a banquet hosted by Mr Peres.
On the morning of 24 June, the delegation visited a number of tourist spots in Manaus including the River Negro, the Amazon River, and Victoria Lake, before leaving for Rio de Janeiro in the afternoon.

Chief Executive meets Brazilian President

2005-06-23 16:11:00

Source :GCS
The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, has paid a courtesy call on the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Mr Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during his official visit to the country.
Speaking after the meeting today (22 June Brazil time), Mr Ho said the session had been very friendly and constructive. 'President Lula agreed that Macao will be instrumental and constructive as the platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as between China and Brazil.
'President Lula especially recognised that Southern China is one of the fast-growing economic zones in the whole region and that it will provide vast opportunities for Brazilian business people and products.'
Mr Ho said President Lula had asked the ministry for commerce to begin a series of talks with the Macao SAR Government, to establish conditions to fully utilise Macao as the platform.
Before the meeting President Lula, Mr Ho met the Minister of Development, Industry and External Commerce, Mr Luiz Fernando Furlan, the President of the Federal Senate, Mr Renan Calheiros, and the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Mr Severino Cavalcanti.
Mr Ho and the Macao delegation are scheduled to continue with their visit, to Manaus on 23 June (Brazil time).

Chief Executive arrives in Brasilia

2005-06-22 15:59:00

Source :GCS
The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah who is leading an official delegation to Brazil, arrived in Brasilia today (21 June Brazil time) and met with the Deputy Acting Foreign Minister, Mr Edmundo Fujita.
During the meeting, which lasted some 50 minutes, Mr Ho said Macao and Brazil have cultural and historic backgrounds of mutual understanding and that many from Macao have settled in Brazil and became an integral part of the country.
He said geographically Macao might be a great distance from Brazil, but the SAR Government would encourage Macao entrepreneurs to deepen their understanding of the country and to explore business opportunities there.
Though Macao was a small market, he said, it opens doors to the South China market and markets further afield.
Mr Fujita told Mr Ho that the Brazilian Government would provide more support to the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries, to be held in Macao in October next year, because the forum had a profound and special meaning.
The Macao delegation also gave Mr Fujita an account of Macao’s recent social and new infrastructures developments, and said the Brazilian food industry could find great opportunities in Macao.
In the evening, Mr Ho and the delegation attended a banquet hosted by the Chinese Ambassador to Brazil, Mr Zhang Yuende.

Edmund Ho: Macanese community could play more important role

2005-06-21 18:41:00

Source :GCS
The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah said that Macanese community could play a more important role in enhancing economic co-operation between Brazil, Macao and the Mainland.
During his visit to the Casa de Macau in Sao Paulo on 20 June (Brazil time), Mr Ho also recalled that his previous visit to Sao Paulo in 1997 coincided the opening of the Casa de Macau in Sao Paulo.
Mr Ho said much changes had occurred in Macao since then, the greatest being the establishment of the Macao SAR. Despite this, the bond between Macanese and other communities in Macao had remained unchanged.
He said that the Macanese community had been an asset for Macao, but for a long time this asset had been emphasised but for not capitalised for various reasons.
With the ever-closer co-operation between China and Brazil, and the support of the Central Government for Macao ‘s role as a mediator between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, this is the best time to maximise this advantage and for the Macanese community to play an important role in the China and Macao’s economic co-operation with Brazil, Mr Ho said.
He said that the newly found Macanese Community Council could also play an active role in linking Macanese communities all over the world and in promoting Macao and the unique Macanese culture.
Mr Ho said the six-day visit marked the beginning of further co-operation between the Macao SAR Government and the Casa de Macao in Sao Paulo.
Macao would always be home for Macanese, Mr Ho said, and he encouraged them to come visit more often, saying that the SAR Government is willing to provide necessary assistance.
During the visit, the Macanese Education Promotion Association signed two co-operation agreements on cultural and youth affairs with the Casa de Macau in Sao Paulo and in Rio de Janeiro respectively.
Mr Ho and the delegation will leave for Brasilia the following morning (21 June Brazil time).

Chief Executive meets Vice-Governor of Sao Paulo State

2005-06-21 18:03:00

Source :GCS
Macao could set up a task force to enhance mutual understanding with Sao Paulo, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said on 20 June (Brazil time).
Mr Ho said this during a meeting with the Vice-Governor of the State of Sao Paulo, Mr Claudio Lembo, while leading a delegation to Brazil, arriving in Sao Paulo on 20 June (Brazil time).
Mr Ho had a meeting with Mr Lembo in the afternoon which lasted more than 40 minutes, during which he said relationship between Macao and Sao Paulo as sister cities could prompt bilateral commercial ties between Brazil and Macao.
Mr Ho suggested that, with the assistance of the Chinese Embassy in Brazil, Macao could send a task force to Sao Paulo to bring the latest news of Macao to the government and people in the state.
He said that Macao could act as the platform for Brazilian businessmen to enter the vast Mainland China market.
The delegation introduced to Mr Lembo how Macao implemented the principle of “One Country, Two Systems” since the establishment of the Special Administrative Region.
Mr Lembo expressed keen interested in Macao’s free port status, and the measures brought about by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).
Mr Ho and the delegation are scheduled to leave for Brasilia on 21 June (Brazil time).

Chief Executive begins visit in Brazil

2005-06-21 11:55:00

Source :GCS
The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, on 20 June (Brazil time) begins his six-day visit to Brazil meeting with Brazilian entrepreneurs in Sao Paulo, the Brazilian industrial capital.
Mr Ho and the Macao delegation attended a luncheon meeting with Brazilian entrepreneurs after arriving at Sao Paulo early in the morning.
He said in his speech that being an important industrial city that generated one-thirds of Brazil’s GDP, Sao Paulo is very important in the economic co-operation between Brazil and China.
He said he hoped this visit could promote economic and cultural co-operation between Macao and Sao Paulo, and highlighted Macao’s role of being mediator between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.
Mr Ho also invited the Brazilian entrepreneurs to visit and explore business opportunities in Macao.
During the luncheon, the president of the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Mr Lee Peng Hong, gave an account of the recent economic developments in Macao, emphasising on the new opportunities provided by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between the Mainland and Macao (CEPA).
He also invited Brazilian entrepreneurs to participate in the Macao International Trade & Investment Fair (MIF) in October, in which a showroom for products of Portuguese-speaking countries will be set up.
In the afternoon Mr Ho and the Macao delegation would meet with the Vice-Governor of the State of Sao Paulo, Mr Claudio Lembo, after a meeting with the members of the Casas de Macau in Sao Paulo and in Rio de Janeiro.

Chief Executive leaves for Brazil

2005-06-19 16:17:00

Source :GCS
The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, left for Brazil today on an official visit, with the aim of strengthening economic ties of Macao acting as the trading platform between China and Portuguese-speaking nations.
Speaking to the media before his departure, Mr Ho said that during the six-day visit, he would introduce Macao to Brazilian entrepreneurs as well as to further enhance communication with the Brazilian Government.
The delegation will also meet with Macanese who have settled in Brazil. “We hope to deepen the relationship between Brazil and Macao by using this specific human resource,” said Mr Ho.
Brazil, in terms of economic development, is one of the most important Portuguese-speaking countries Macao would co-operate with.
When asked about the question of land resources and real estate, Mr Ho said due to Macao’s rapid economic development recently, over-development might occur. Since Macao has limited land resources, the public would be greatly concerned with land resource and real estates policies.
These policies might spur disputes in the future, and the Government ought to study them with caution and seek solutions said Mr Ho.
“The Government has a clear position on land resources and real estate policies and will continue to stabilise the original policies which is important to the economic and city development. The Government has the authority to control over-development situations, such as a high price of land.”
Howeve, the Government might act differently on the policies according to Macao’s future mode of development and the needs of the society, he said.
Mr Ho also said under the principles of fair, just and the match with the entire development of Macao, the Government would take care of the needs of different levels, especially those who have difficulties in buying homes.

CE praises Portuguese community

2005-06-10 20:31:00

Source :GCS
The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, today praised the Portuguese community for their contribution to the development of Macao.
Speaking at a cocktail to celebrate the Day of Portugal, Camoes and Portuguese Communities, Mr Ho said the government would endeavour to understand more of the needs of the Portuguese community and to foster their unique culture.
With the support of the Central Government, he said, Macao had developed into a business platform for the Mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries, forging a bright outlook for Macao.
In the afternoon, the Chief Executive met the Minister of Justice of Portugal, Mr Alberto Costa. On behalf of the Portuguese Government, Mr Costa invited Mr Ho to visit Portugal, and Mr Ho said he would try to arrange for a visit next year.

Portuguese President departs after two-day visit

2005-01-17 20:40:00

Source :GCS
The President of the Republic of Portugal, Mr Jorge Sampaio, leaves this evening after a busy two-day visit to the MSAR. Macao is the last stop on his official visit to China, at the invitation of President Hu Jiantao.
Before his departure, Mr Sampaio and his wife, Ms Maria Rita Sampaio, hosted a reception for the Portuguese community at the residence of the Portuguese Consul-General in Macao. The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, also attended the banquet.
Earlier, in the morning, Mr Sampaio and his delegation visited the Portuguese School, the Portuguese Consulate-General in Macao and the Oriental Portuguese Institute of the Orient.
He also visited the Macau Tower where he had a bird’s eye view of Macao and the neighbouring region, from the 58th floor of the tower, before he attended the launching ceremony of a new book entitled “Portugal – an old nation, a country of the future”.
He also attended a luncheon hosted by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam. Speaking at the luncheon, Mr Tam said the MSAR Government valued its relations with Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries and would capitalise this advantage to make Macao a platform for trade and economic co-operation between China and Portugal.
In the afternoon, Mr Sampiao visited some famous Macao landmarks, including the A-Ma Cultural Village on Coloane Island, the Ruins of St Paul’s Church and Senado Square in the centre of the city.

Chief Executive meets with Portuguese President

2005-01-16 22:09:00

Source :GCS
(Macao – 16 January 2005) The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah today greeted with the Portuguese President, Mr Jorge Sampaio who is in Macao Special Administrative Region for a two-day visit.
Mr Ho and Mr Sampaio met the press after their meeting which lasted for 45 minutes.
Mr Ho said he was glad to meet Mr Sampaio in Macao and congratulated him on his successful China visit.
He said that thepresence of Mr Sampaio in Macao allowed him to reciprocate the cordiality and hospitality accorded to him when he visited Portugal.
Mr Ho said that they have discussed a wide range of subjects concerning the future of Macao and Portugal during the meeting and also exchanged views on the role of Macao as a bridge to the Portuguese-speaking countries.
He underlined that Mr Sampaio had contributed much in this relation.
Mr Sampaio said he was grateful for the warm reception he received in Macao.
He said that he was glad to see that the Joint Delaration Between Portual and China on the and the Macao SAR Basic Law being fully implemented in Macao after the establishment of the SAR .
“Macao successfully governed by Macao people is proof of the success of the ‘One Country Two Systems’ concept ” Mr Sampaio said.
He also praised Mr Ho’s performance and said it was one of the reasons for Macao’s success.
Concerning the Guangdong, Macao and Portugal Economic Cooperation Forum 2005, which opens tomorrow, Mr Sampaio said that it was another proof of Macao’s role as a platform for Portuguese and Chinese Enterprises.
Mr Sampaio extended an invitation for Mr Ho to visit Portugal again.
Also presented at the meeting were the Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities Abroad, Mr Antonio Monteiro, The Portuguese Minister of Economic Activities and Works, Mr Alvaro Barreto and and Portugal’s Ambassador to China, Mr Santana Carlos, The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan and the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam.
Tomorrow, the Portuguese President will pay visits to the Portuguese School, the Oriental Portuguese Institute of the Orient (Instituto Portugues do Oriente) and attend a luncheon hosted by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam.
He will also visit some famous Macao landmarks, including the A-Ma Statue and the A-Ma Cultural Village on Coloane Island, the Ruins of St Paul’s Church and Senado Square in the centre of the city.
Mr Sampaio is on an official visit to China at the invitation of the President, Mr Hu Jintao. Macao is the last stop on this visit.
Mr Sampaio last visited Macao was in December 1999.