The Day of Portuguese Language and Culture of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries was celebrated for the first time in Beijing on the initiative of the diplomatic representations of the Portuguese speaking countries, said the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macau.

The celebration, which consisted of a reception held on 5 May, was attended by 500 guests, including representatives from other embassies accredited in China, businesspeople from Macau and China, academics, scholarship fellows from Portuguese-speaking countries, government entities from China and representatives of the Chinese business and banking sectors.

This first celebration aimed to promote the different cultures of the Portuguese-speaking countries and the Portuguese language in China, as well as highlighting the prominent role played by Macau in the economic, commercial and cultural relations between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

The ambassador of Brazil, the country that currently holds the rotating presidency of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, Marcos Caramuru de Paiva, inaugurated the event with a speech about the value and importance of the Portuguese language, and acknowledged the support given by the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macau to this first celebration that is expected to be held annually in Beijing, on 5 May.

The Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macau set up a stand and panels to present some products from the Centre for Food Products from Portuguese Speaking Countries. (macauhub)