The leader of the Chinese community in Portugal Choi Man Hin considers the official visit to Lisbon by the head of the Macau executive, this week, “very important and constructive” for Portuguese relations with China.
Ho Iat Seng’s visit “is very important and very constructive” for Sino-Portuguese relations, said Choi Man Hin, the man who for decades was the right hand man in Portugal of Portuguese-Chinese businessman and gaming tycoon Stanley Ho and is now President of the Association of Luso-Chinese Merchants and Industrialists (ACILC) in Portugal.
Because “this type of exchange in bilateral relations is needed” and “it is very useful” for “the relationship between the two areas and for the two countries, China and Portugal”, he added regarding the visit of the Macanese chief executive, which begins on the next day, the 18th.
“Portugal is a platform for extending investment from here to other countries and even to Africa”, highlighted the former chairman of the Board of Directors of Estoril Sol – a company controlled at the time by Stanaley Ho, who continues to own the casino to this day. of Lisbon and manager, among others, of Casino do Estoril.
In his view, the visit of the Macanese chief executive to Portugal also “may be a catalyst” for Portuguese leaders “to visit Macau again”.
Choi also noted that the visit by the Macau chief executive comes after the 10th congress of the Chinese Communist Party, the most important event on China’s political agenda.
From that meeting, “the Macau chief executive also received indications to tell the story of China in a more certain way”, showing that Beijing can continue to collaborate with other countries in the world, he added.
In his opinion, Portugal can be an ally of China in Europe and Africa.
“For example, if there is any economic situation that needs support from the Macau side, [the territory] is prepared to help [Portugal] for its own good”, he exemplified.
Choi did not exclude the possibility of “some adjustments” during the period of transition of the administration of the territory of Macau to China, defined in the treaty between Beijing and Lisbon, but that will not be the subject of this visit.
The Macau chief executive is visiting Portugal between April 18 and 22, with meetings planned with the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Prime Minister, António Costa, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, João Gomes Cravinho.
Accompanying Ho Iat Seng is a delegation of 50 local businessmen, with several visits to Portuguese partners, focusing on the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
