Back to the future: Macau looks to its heritage as it forges closer ties with Portuguese diaspora
Portuguese speakers are in high demand in the city as it moves to strengthen trade links between China and the Lusosphere, including Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and East Timor
Macau enjoys a rich cultural heritage, owing to its historical status as Europe’s first major colony in East Asia. As long ago as the mid-16th century, the city was a massively important hub for Portugal’s sprawling trade networks, described by some historians as the first global empire. Portugal’s broad reach established colonies across the world, making Portuguese one of the world’s most widely spoken languages.
After more than four centuries, in 1999, Portugal returned Macau to China. The city is looking to reinvigorate its ties not just with Beijing, but with the whole Portuguese-speaking world.
Beijing, likewise, sees that improving ties with this deeply established cultural and economic network offers considerable rewards. The economies of Portuguese-speaking African countries are on the rise, and the potential of mighty Brazil as a major trade partner is almost unknowable.
To this end, Forum Macau was set up in 2003 with the specific aim of building economic and trade ties between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The forum convenes annually in October in Macau, and every three years brings together a summit of leaders from mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries, comprising Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and East Timor.
Perhaps as a consequence, Beijing’s approach towards the city has warmed appreciably. Last year on his visit to the forum, China’s Premier Li Keqiang called Macau “treasured soil of the lotus flower of the motherland”. He went on to announce a series of measures to boost Macau’s economy, and the establishment of a new headquarters for a cooperation and development fund for mainland China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
