Portugal seeks to deepen business relations with China through CIFTIS

Portugal is looking to strengthen business ties with China through the ongoing 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), a key platform for promoting global cooperation and innovation in the services sector, according to Portuguese Ambassador to China, Paulo Nascimento.

Themed 'Global Services, Shared Prosperity,' the trade fair, which opened on Thursday and runs until Monday, has attracted participation from over 80 countries and international organizations. Portugal is among 13 countries showcasing independent exhibitions for the first time.

Nascimento emphasized the strong cooperation between Portugal and China in goods trade and investment, expressing hope for continued growth in service trade between the two nations.

"There is still very much space to grow in what consists of trade in services between Portugal and China. Trade in goods has been developing substantially last years, investment has also been flowing quite well, but in trading services there is still room for improvement, and that's why we think it is important and also this is the right place, we believe, to show to the Chinese market and to the Chinese investors the potential of Portugal as a destination for Chinese investment," said the ambassador at the event.

Nascimento also highlighted that CIFTIS, a comprehensive trade platform established by the Chinese government for both domestic and international participants, demonstrates China's ambition to create a more open global market. He added that Portugal should leverage this platform to explore new business opportunities.

"The Chinese market is a huge market. It is important as it has been stressed by many authorities, foreign authorities but also by the Chinese authorities that the Chinese market becomes more open, and I think this is the way the Chinese authorities have been positioning themselves - making China an open market to world investors and trade, and services. This is really important. We think, we believe China's trade and business is a good basis for the establishment of relations between countries and for the development of economy and welfare of peoples. This is not only about the dimension of the market. You know that although this is our first official participation in the CIFTIS, we have been following this event, this fair, for some time now. And it was due to the consideration of the results of the CIFTIS, that we, this year, believed was the moment to be present," said Nascimento.

Portugal seeks to deepen business relations with China through CIFTIS

The third part of China Media Group (CMG)'s Mid-Autumn Festival gala aired on Tuesday night blends traditional Chinese culture with international artistry in a diverse lineup, bringing the audience an unforgettable night of music performance and poetry recitation.

The annual gala broadcast, also known as "Qiuwan" in Chinese, was recorded in Shenyang City of northeast China's Liaoning Province, a 2,300-year-old city boasting three world cultural heritage sites and over 1,500 historical and cultural sites. The city is also one of the most well-known industrial cities in China.

Themed "Moon Bright", the third part of the grand gala features an array of classic songs, reunion-themed narratives, and touching performances. Highlights include a music adaptation of the famous Chinese poem Qing Ping Diao by Tang Dynasty Poet Li Bai (701-762), which captures the essence of ancient Chinese beauty and expression; and a middle-school chorus from the Macao Special Administrative Region, singing about their love for the country and hopes for a brighter future.

The third segment of the show also features celebrated French musician Richard Clayderman, who enchants the audience with his timeless A Comme Amour a breathtaking rendition of The Butterfly Lovers concerto. The concerto, inspired by the tragic love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, is a modern classic that intertwines Chinese folklore with romantic Western composition techniques.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the night when the moon reaches its fullest and brightest on the 15th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar. This year, the day fell on Tuesday (Sept 17). During the festival, families reunite, admire the moon, share the traditional festive pastry of mooncakes and light up lanterns.

Part 3 of CMG Mid-Autumn Festival Gala showcases diverse lineup of performances