CE urges youth in Portugal to contribute to national development

Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai met on the evening of April 18 (Lisbon time) with around 110 Macau students currently studying in the country, reaffirming the SAR Government’s commitment to supporting overseas students and encouraging them to return and contribute to Macau’s development.

The students are mainly enrolled in law, translation, Portuguese studies, and management, as well as disciplines including sports science, medicine, artificial intelligence, data science, mechanical engineering, economics, and architecture.

In his talk, Sam said he once studied in Portugal himself and therefore shared common experiences with the students, adding that student development in Portugal represents not only personal academic progress but also the continuation of Macau–Portugal friendship and a responsibility to contribute to future cooperation.

Highlighting national development priorities, Sam said China is entering the 15th Five-Year Plan period, while Macau is advancing its own development strategy. He stressed that building Macau as a “China–Portuguese-speaking Countries platform” depends on talent with bilingual skills, international vision, and professional expertise.

He added that such talent is essential for initiatives including the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and the Belt and Road Initiative.

As cited in a statement issued by the Government Information Bureau, he set out three expectations for students: focus on academic foundations and cross-cultural skills; broaden horizons and promote cultural exchange; and maintain strong ties with Macau and return after graduation to contribute locally.

Students shared their study experiences and expressed interest in contributing to Macau’s role as a China–Portuguese-speaking countries platform, as well as participating in the development of the Greater Bay Area and Hengqin.

The meeting followed Sam’s attendance earlier in the day at an exhibition in Lisbon marking 500 years of cultural exchange between Macau and Western civilization.