"To do business we must first be friends", and Porto and Beijing are closer than ever

June 13th was a full day for Mayor of Porto, who is on official visit to China, in the context of the commemorations of the Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities.

The focus of these centenary commemorations is Porto, under the motto "Kangxi, Porto and The Baroque".

Rui Moreira delivered a speech during the celebrations of Portugal Day on the invitation of Ambassador José Augusto Duarte. The Mayor then gave a live interview to the China Global Television Network (CGTN), one of the main television broadcasters of the country and also attended a concert of Baroque Music sponsored by the Portuguese Embassy.

The Casa da Música Baroque Orchestra performed at the National Music Conservatory of China, featuring a repertoire to honour Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, who ruled China between 1662 and 1722, and whose most prominent advisor was Tomás Pereira, a Jesuit from Porto.

During the ceremony, the Mayor of Porto was invited to say a few words about the closer ties between our peoples. Rui Moreira recalled the Maritime Discoveries, and the features and symbols of the Portuguese People found as far away as China. The mayor also enhanced that 9.500 kilometres are not enough to hinder Porto-Beijing close relationship.

Concurrently, the focus of this official visit of the Mayor of Porto to China is also the fostering and strengthening of commercial relationships between Porto and local entrepreneurs and businesspeople, as well as to promote the city of Porto as a business destination of excellence for companies to invest and set up.

Recently, Porto Canal (Television Network from Porto) has entered into a partnership with the China Global Television Network, as part of an international committee of televisions. It is worth mentioning that this is the only Portuguese network to have been included in such committee.

Rui Moreira also highlighted that besides tourism and the unique charms of the Northern Region of Portugal, namely the Douro valley and the Port Wine, there are other factors that represent a tremendous driving force for the arrival of Chinese citizens in Porto. There is a community of Chinese students arriving in Porto to study at the University, "which is something we applaud", the Mayor enthuses. Also, numerous Chinese entrepreneurs arrive in Porto for doing business.

This is evermore possible because "there is a strong Chinese community in the Northern region of Portugal", Rui Moreira concluded.