President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to attend the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)to be held in the Chinese capital from Wednesday to Friday.
The president's plane landed in Beijing at around 10:00 local time.
Guinea-Bissau, located in western Africa, has a long history of friendly exchanges with China, and President Embalo has always firmly supported China on issues involving China's major concerns.
In July this year, President Embalo paid a state visit to China, during which the two heads of state agreed to elevate the relationship between the two countries to a strategic partnership, marking the first strategic partnership established by Guinea-Bissau with any other country.
It is worth mentioning that during his state visit, President Embalo made a special trip to Tian'anmen Square to lay a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes.
The two countries signed a cooperation agreement on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative in 2021, and China has supported Guinea-Bissau in constructing landmark projects, such as the government office building and the national stadium, which have been well received by the local people.
China has sent a total of 27 medical teams to Guinea-Bissau since 1976.
President of Guinea-Bissau arrives in Beijing for 2024 FOCAC summit
President of Guinea-Bissau arrives in Beijing for 2024 FOCAC summit
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
