On September 17, “Forum of Think Tanks between China and Portuguese-speaking and Spanish-speaking Countries 2026 ” was successfully held in Macao. Commissioner Bian Lixin and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Ms. O Lam delivered opening remarks. Those who attended the forum included, Secretary General of the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Studies Centre and President of the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) Ms. Chen Bo, Non-executive Administrator of the Central Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe Mr. Acácio Elba Bonfim, Executive President of the Fundación Cátedra China (China Chair Foundation) Ms. Marta Ana Montoro Carrión, Guest Professor of Macao Polytechnic University Mr. Evandro Menezes de Carvalho and Dean of the School of Public Policy of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Mr. Zheng Yongnian, and other experts and scholars. Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR Mr. Zhang Yingjie, along with nearly 300 representatives from the SAR Government, think tanks and universities, consuls-general in Macao, and the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) were invited to the event.

Commissioner Bian Lixin stated that this year marks the first anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s proposal of the Global Governance Initiative. This major initiative responds to the trend of the times, upholds a people-centered approach, adheres to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and pursues fairness and justice. It has provided a Chinese solution for reforming and improving the global governance system. China and Portuguese-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries share similar goals and visions on reforming global governance system. We should uphold solidarity and cooperation, jointly advance the grand cause of common development, and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system.

Secretary O Lam said that with the history of the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures for more than 400 years, Macao is ready to play the role as a bridge in deepening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, promoting people-to-people ties and discussing international issues such as global governance, thereby contributing Macao’s strength to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Participating scholars noted that this forum has built a valuable platform for dialogue and exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries in the area of global governance, and expressed willingness to work hand in hand to make global governance in the 21st century a true symphony performed by all countries that brings greater benefits to the people.