China's Macao Special Administrative Region, as a vibrant melting pot of diverse cultures, has lured a new generation of Portuguese-speaking students from Europe, Africa and North America to study here, exploring and absorbing its colorful cultural nourishment while pursuing their long-cherished dreams in academic and career establishment.
As a Sino-Portuguese platform, Macao catalyzes exchanges and cooperation in economy and university education. The Macao Polytechnic University's Faculty of Languages and Translation is now a bustling hub for students from Portugal, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau, all eager to immerse themselves in the Chinese language and culture.
For instance, 21-year-old Paulo dos Santos from Cape Verde has deep affection for Chinese culture and language, and he started Mandarin study in local high school.
"When I was in 11th grade in Cape Verde, there were Chinese classes. Then I chose and I started learning, and then I didn't stop. I think Chinese is the most spoken language in the world, so when I had a chance to study Chinese, I didn't think twice. Here you have all environment to study. The teachers are great. For me, it is one of the best places to study," he said.
Cumba Fati from Guinea-Bissau, mirrors this sentiment. She feels fortunate to be part of this vibrant academic community as the interest in China is on the rise among young people.
"Here in Macao, I can see the teachers, their dedication to do their work. They give us all the support to study here. So it is a good opportunity to come here to study," she said.
Meanwhile, Joao Henrique Oliveira from Portugal has discovered a different facet of the educational experience.
"One of the things I appreciate about the Chinese education is that they are very well organized. There are many facilities the students can use. I think the environment here is very good," he said.
It's not just academics that are capturing these students' hearts. Macao, with its pluralistic cultures, offers an allure that goes beyond the classroom.
"Macao is a really beautiful place. You can see a lot of cultures here. I have a lot of Chinese friends that we play basketball together," said Paulo dos Santos. "I think what impressed me was the culture, like dragon dance, lion dance, Chinese foods. They are all very intriguing to me. They hold the Macao Grand Prix every year. They have the Lusofonia Festival. I think Macao embraces other cultures," said Joao Henrique Oliveira.
As graduation approaches, these students are beginning to map out their futures, hoping to tie up their career and academic pursuits with China. Cumba Fati plans to further her studies on the mainland.
"My plan is to continue study in mainland China. I have the plan for future in my country to help us to build one Institute of Confucius to bring Chinese culture to there," she said.
"I'm planning to have my master's degree. I would like to go 'Guojiguanxi' (Chinese term for 'international relations'). My country and China have a good relationship, because since we are after our independence, China is one of the countries that help us the most. I need to do my part for this relationship," said Paulo dos Santos.
Reflecting on their transformative journeys, these students agree that their time in Macao has been nothing short of life-changing.
"I can say that Macao changes me. Being here made me a better person. A lot of first experience in my life was here," said Paulo dos Santos.
Portuguese-speaking students enjoy diverse culture in Macao
Competition in the global automotive industry has shifted from a contest of scale to a multi-dimensional coordination of capabilities, a new report released at the ninth Hongqiao International Economic Forum said on Thursday, which called for a more collaborative global industry ecosystem. Titled "Global Automotive Competitiveness Report 2026," the study was unveiled at the parallel session "Free and Fair Trade and Industrial Competitiveness Cooperation" of the Hongqiao Forum, held as part of the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE).
The report constructs an evaluation framework for the international competitiveness of the automotive industry consisting of five dimensions -- industrial foundation, technological innovation, market competitiveness, global resource allocation, and environmental support -- and 29 indicators. Based on calculations and comparisons across 41 major countries worldwide, the report concludes that global automotive competition has evolved from a scale-based competition to a multi-dimensional coordination of capabilities. It calls for efforts to foster a new global automotive industry ecosystem featuring more coordinated supply chains, more inclusive technology, more open trade, more mutually beneficial investment, and more synergistic governance.
"The automotive industry has evolved from traditional fuel vehicles to new energy vehicles and now to intelligent connected vehicles, and its entire competitive logic is undergoing fundamental changes. The previous set of evaluation and analysis indicators, characterized by scale and output value, can hardly adapt to or explain the new competitiveness. The iteration and upgrading of the automotive industry, including the opening of new market space, require better coordination and cooperation," said Tang Yunyi, deputy director of the Institute of Applied Economics of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.
The idea that global auto competition is now a contest of coordinated capabilities rather than sheer scale is finding an echo among the automakers that have built their China businesses on competition and cooperation alike.
For companies like Mercedes-Benz, which has spent decades manufacturing and selling in the world's largest car market, the report's core argument that lasting advantage lies in coordination mirrors a conviction already embedded in its own approach to the country.
"I believe, as a German company, in this true collaboration driving long-term value creation. And it is based on rules, fair competition, and therefore, we are very much looking forward to the next chapter here in China," said Oliver Thone, a board member of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
The ninth Hongqiao International Economic Forum, running at the National Exhibition and Convention Center under the theme "Stability and Cooperation: Building an Open World Economy Together," brings together business leaders and representatives from around the world to explore paths to a more open global economy, alongside a series of parallel sessions and report releases.
The forum is running alongside the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), which opened in Shanghai the same day, drawing more than 4,100 overseas exhibitors from 148 countries and regions. First held in 2018 as the world's first national-level expo dedicated to imports, the CIIE has since evolved into a vital gateway for foreign businesses seeking access to China's vast consumer and industrial markets.
Shanghai forum unveils new framework for global auto industry competitiveness
