China’s Central Government wishes to enhance “cultural exchange” with Portugal and wants Macao to play “a special role” in that relationship, the President of Macao’s Cultural Affairs Bureau Guilherme Ung Vai Meng said this week.
Mr Ung was speaking on the sidelines of the signing ceremony of the “Implementation Plan on Cultural Exchange and Cooperation between the Mainland and the Macao Special Administrative Region in 2016-2018”. Macao’s Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam Chon Weng and China’s Vice Minister of Culture Ding Wei signed the agreement on Wednesday.
According to Mr Ung — quoted by Portuguese news agency Lusa — Mr Ding announced the Chinese Central Government intended to strengthen “cultural exchange” with Portugal. Mr Ung quoted the Vice Minister saying that Macao would be given “a special role” in pursuing that goal, due to the territory’s history and culture.
Mr Ung did not give further details, but said additional talks would be held. He estimated a more specific outline for such involvement by Macao could be unveiled by 2020.
