What’s new: China will boost cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries in the areas of vaccines, medication and health amid the global economic uncertainties associated with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Premier Li Keqiang said at a forum on Sunday.
A communication center will be set up in Macao to deepen cooperation between China and Lusophone nations on epidemic prevention to further improve the global health governance system, Li said in a video address at the opening ceremony of a special ministerial conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, also known as Forum Macao.
Noting that Macao — a Chinese special administrative region and former Portuguese colony — is a bridge that connects China and Portuguese-speaking countries, Li said that the central government will continue to support the region in its development as a service platform for business cooperation with the countries.
He also stressed the importance of openness in boosting global economic recovery, especially in areas of trade and investment with Lusophone countries, as well as infrastructure connectivity, industrial cooperation, green trade, energy conservation and environmental protection.
The background: The forum, which was held simultaneously in Beijing and Macao, was attended by government delegates from China, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, and Timor-Leste.
Trade between China and Portuguese-speaking countries has exceeded $100 billion for five consecutive years, reaching $200 billion last year, which demonstrates the resilience and potential of cooperation, Li said.
Contact reporter Kelsey Cheng (kelseycheng@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com)
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