Chinese New Year begins on January 31 as the Year of the Horse, which is said to bring prosperity and wealth. It is not surprising then that Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho decided to take advantage of the celebrations by sending a message to Macau stressing the importance of Portugal’s relationship with the Portuguese community there – and with China in general.
“The Portuguese community in Macau is, and always will be, a strategic asset for Portugal in Asia,” he said, also making special mention of the Chinese community in Portugal which has been playing a “fundamental role” in the collaboration between the two cultures.
“We hope that these communities will maintain and develop these roles, and we also hope that our relationship will grow closer and more beneficial for everyone,” the prime minister added.
The PSD leader highlighted the fact that 2013 marked 500 years of relations between Portugal and China, and that 2014 will mark 35 years of “diplomatic relations” between Portugal and the People’s Republic of China.
Not forgotten was China’s role in the country’s economic recovery.
Passos Coelho stressed that the “bilateral dynamics” of their relationship has led to numerous investment opportunities with mutual gains for both nations. An example of this is the golden visa, a fast-track for foreign investors from non-EU countries to obtain a fully valid residency permit in Portugal which Chinese investors have been seeking out in large numbers.
Addressing the Year of the Horse, the prime minister talked of the “leadership and decision-making ability” that the animal represents in the Chinese zodiac.
“These are auspicious qualities for 2014, a year in which Portugal will be ending its demanding financial adjustment programme in the effort to resume sustainable growth,” he added.
Ending his message, Passos Coelho wished “prosperity, peace and good fortune” for the Chinese people, the Portuguese community in Macau and the Chinese community in Portugal.
Photo by: Brenden Brain
