As China and the European Union celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, one expert highlights a surprising 'bridge' in their partnership: Macao and Portugal. 💡 "Macao's unique cultural and historical ties to Portugal make it a natural catalyst for deeper China-EU collaboration," says José Alves, dean of the City University of Macau's Faculty of Business.
Why Macao Matters
Once a Portuguese-administered territory, Macao returned to China in 1999 and has since evolved into a multilingual hub connecting East and West. 🇲🇴 Alves, who co-founded the startup competition 929 Challenge, emphasizes how Portuguese-language networks and shared economic goals are driving innovation: "Startups here are leveraging Macao's legal frameworks and cultural fluency to access both Chinese and European markets."
Youth Powering Global Ties
Young entrepreneurs are at the heart of this synergy. 👩💻👨💼 Alves points to cross-border projects in green tech, fintech, and cultural exchanges—all boosted by initiatives like the Belt and Road. 🔌 With EU-China trade topping €2.3 billion daily, collaborations in Macao could redefine how the Global North and South cooperate on AI and sustainability.
So next time you think of geopolitics, remember: sometimes the smallest regions spark the biggest connections. 🌍✨
