Macau will play a greater role in advancing economic and strategic cooperation between China and Portugal, its chief executive said following a series of high-level meetings in Lisbon.
Sam Hou Fai said his visit had reinforced the territory’s position as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, expressing confidence that bilateral cooperation would reach “a new level” in the coming years.
During the visit, Sam held talks with senior Portuguese leaders, including Antonio Jose Seguro, Luis Montenegro, parliament speaker José Pedro Aguiar-Branco and Chief Justice João Cura Mariano.
Speaking at a media briefing at the end of his trip, Sam said discussions focused on strengthening economic ties, enhancing political trust and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment and cultural exchange.
He also highlighted the role of the “one country, two systems” framework in Macau, describing it as a successful model that underpins the region’s openness and international connectivity.
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“The visit achieved its goals of enhancing mutual understanding, consolidating traditional friendship and strengthening all-round cooperation,” Sam said.
Portugal’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to deepening relations with China. Antonio Jose Seguro noted that diplomatic ties between the two countries date back to 1979 and have evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership since 2005.
He said relations have been characterised by growing political trust, frequent high-level exchanges and expanding cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure and education.
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Seguro reiterated Portugal’s adherence to the one-China policy and pledged to continue promoting broad-based cooperation with Beijing.
Analysts say Macau occupies a unique position in China’s external relations due to its historical links with Portugal and its role as a gateway to Lusophone markets, including countries in Africa and Latin America.
Authorities in Macau have increasingly sought to leverage this position to facilitate trade, investment and financial cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking economies, aligning with Beijing’s broader strategy to expand global economic engagement.
Sam said Macau would continue to use its institutional, cultural and linguistic advantages to support the China-Portugal partnership and contribute to broader international cooperation.
During the visit, he also met with Portuguese ministers and attended presentations highlighting the economic and institutional development of Macau under the “one country, two systems” framework.
Observers note that the renewed emphasis on Macau’s intermediary role comes at a time when China is seeking to strengthen ties with Europe and diversify its economic partnerships amid global geopolitical shifts.
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For Portugal, closer engagement with China offers opportunities to attract investment, boost exports and deepen cooperation in emerging sectors, while maintaining longstanding historical and cultural connections.
Sam arrived in Lisbon over the weekend, marking the first stop of his official visit, which officials described as productive and forward-looking.
Both sides expressed optimism that leveraging Macau’s platform could further unlock economic opportunities and enhance collaboration across sectors, reinforcing the long-standing relationship between China and Portugal.
Macau occupies a unique position in relations between China and Portugal, shaped by centuries of historical, cultural and economic ties. A former Portuguese colony, Macau was returned to China in 1999 under the “one country, two systems” framework, which allows it to maintain a high degree of autonomy, a separate legal system and strong international linkages.
This historical legacy has made Macau a key platform for engagement between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The territory serves as a bridge not only to Portugal but also to Lusophone economies in Africa and Latin America, including Angola, Mozambique and Brazil, which are important partners in trade, energy and infrastructure cooperation.
Diplomatic relations between China and Portugal were formally established in 1979, laying the groundwork for expanding bilateral engagement. In 2005, the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, reflecting growing political trust and cooperation across sectors such as trade, investment, education and culture.
Macau has since played an institutional role in strengthening these links. It hosts the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macao), which facilitates dialogue, investment promotion and capacity-building initiatives among member states.
Economically, China has become one of Portugal’s key trading partners outside the European Union, while Portuguese companies have sought opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure and finance in China. At the same time, Chinese investment in Portugal has expanded over the past decade, particularly in energy, utilities and real estate.
Macau’s open economy, bilingual environment (Chinese and Portuguese), and legal system based on civil law traditions similar to Portugal’s further enhance its role as a gateway for business and financial cooperation.
The “one country, two systems” model has been central to maintaining Macau’s international orientation, enabling it to operate as a global tourism and services hub while supporting China’s external economic strategy.
In recent years, Chinese authorities have increasingly emphasised Macau’s function as a platform for diversified economic cooperation, particularly as Beijing seeks to strengthen ties with Europe and the Global South amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Against this backdrop, high-level exchanges such as the recent visit by Macau’s chief executive to Portugal are part of broader efforts to revitalise bilateral ties, expand economic collaboration and leverage Macau’s intermediary role to deepen China-Portugal relations.
