Macao sees remarkable growth in cultural initiatives since its return to China: official

Macao is harnessing its unique fusion of Chinese and Western influences to enhance its identity as a global hub of culture and arts, said Leong Wai Man, director of Macao's Cultural Affairs Bureau.

Residents in the region are reflecting on its recent history and achievements as Macao will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its return to China on Dec. 20.

In a recent interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Leong said the special administrative region is striving to rediscover and revitalize historical and cultural resources that have been overlooked, making effective use of them to help more people appreciate their significance.

"Since Macao's return to the motherland, we have witnessed remarkable growth in our cultural initiatives and the development of cultural industries. Macao has earned a place on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, recognized as a Creative City of Gastronomy, and is listed in the Memory of the World Register. Most recently, Macao was named the 2025 East Asian Cultural City. These honors underscore Macao's ability to gain international recognition through its cultural strengths," said Leong.

These honors underscore Macao's ability to gain international recognition through its cultural strengths, she added.

Leong said the SAR government will continue to tap into the region's unique blend of cultures, which is reflected not only in its architecture but the daily lives and intangible heritage of its residents.

"We are currently working to position Macao as a hub for performing arts. Over the past few decades, we have laid a solid foundation in this area. The central government's designation of Macao as 'One Center, One Platform, One Base' highlights its strategic importance in cultural and international exchanges," said the official.

"One Center, One Platform, One Base" refers to the ideal of Macao being a world center of tourism and leisure, a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist.

Looking ahead, Macao aims to continuously enhance its influence in cultural affairs, Leong said, adding that through international platforms, the SAR will contribute to telling China's story on the global stage.

Macao sees remarkable growth in cultural initiatives since its return to China: official

Tanzania and China have committed to synergizing the implementation of development strategies to boost common development, according to a joint press communique released on Saturday.

The communique was issued after talks between the foreign ministers of Tanzania and China in Dar es Salaam. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and foreign minister, visited Tanzania on Friday and Saturday, during which he met with his counterpart, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo.

The two ministers spoke highly of the traditional friendship between China and Tanzania, which is built on trust and mutual respect, said the communique.

Noting with satisfaction the fruitful outcomes of China-Tanzania relations and friendly cooperation over the past six decades, they are committed to the practical implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state to further elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new heights.

China reiterated its full confidence in Tanzania's leadership and institutions to manage internal affairs independently, the communique said, while Tanzania reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting the one-China principle and reiterated its consistent position of recognizing that there is but one China in the world and respecting China's national unity and territorial integrity, underscoring that any form of secession is unacceptable.

The two countries have committed to synergizing the implementation of development strategies, agreed to further expand two-way investment and trade, and reaffirmed their commitment to further fostering a fair and enabling business environment on both sides.

The two sides agreed to jointly host activities related to the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and to expand cooperation in areas such as culture, tourism, education, public health, sports, youths, think tanks and media, so as to solidify public support for China-Tanzania friendship, the communique said.

Stressing that the two countries welcomed the smooth commencement of the TAZARA Railway revitalization project and expressed their readiness to support its implementation, the communique said that the two sides are exploring the possibility of organizing a high-level TAZARA Railway Prosperity Belt meeting in the near future.

China, Tanzania pledge to align development strategies