The President of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, José Manuel Rodrigues, recently held an audience with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Zhao Bentang.
The visit is part of the celebrations of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal and the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to China, “an important milestone that will be celebrated all year round,” said the Chinese ambassador at the end of the meeting in the Madeiran Parliament.
Zhao Bentang travelled to the Region in the company of a group of Chinese businessmen, with the aim of “creating dialogue and deepening economic cooperation with the Autonomous Region of Madeira.”
“We have had a series of very successful activities and I hope they will take place, in order to bring a brighter future in cooperation between Madeira and the provinces of China, and also for the two countries,” he concluded.
The blue economy, the digital transition, the Free Trade Zone, and the University of Madeira, are some of the areas of interest and where commercial and cultural projects can be developed.
The President of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira wished the Ambassador and the entire delegation the greatest success in deepening the common objectives, which can benefit the Region and China and be factors of economic and cultural union.
About 200 Chinese citizens live in Madeira, who are well integrated into Madeiran society.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
