Local consultancy firm Perfeicao, which helps Chinese and Portuguese firms break into new markets, said the number of deals have gone up three times since Macao reopened its borders at the beginning of this year.
“Right now, China exports a lot of services and new technologies,” said Mr João Li, director of the firm’s Portugal office.
“We received a delegation comprising the top 500 companies from Brazil. They were looking for internet and technology companies such as Jingdong, Baidu, and Tencent (to find out) how to create a shared economy.”
EXPANDING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
These exchanges are also part of a bigger political shift as China eyes strategic partnerships in the West and beyond, amid soaring tensions with the United States.
In April, China and Brazil pledged to work together in international finance and fair development.
That same month, Macao’s Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng met with Portugal’s leaders to discuss bilateral trade.
“China is one of the biggest countries in the world in terms of demography, and one tiny place in China that has Portuguese as an official language, it has to make a difference,” said Prof Veloso.
Source: CNA
