Common goals and ideals: 40 years of Cooperation

Between Portugal and China

In Retrospect and Prospect

Website do evento

21-22 May 2019

2019 marks the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Portugal and the People’s Republic of China, as well as the 20th anniversary of the handover of Macau to China. The signing, last December, of new partnership documents signals the beginning of a new stage in the relations between both countries, set over the backdrop of the global Belt and Road Initiative.

Acknowledging the collaborative work done over the past four decades and keenly aware of the new opportunities and responsibilities entailed by this new stage, the University of Lisbon and the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, together with the Confucius Institute and the Lisbon School of Management and Economics (ISEG), joined efforts with the Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce of China, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the New Silk Road Friends Association (ANRS) of Portugal to organize a Forum on the 21st and 22nd of May 2019.

Drawing its inspiration from an Old Chinese saying – “Nothing can separate people with common goals and ideals, not even mountains and seas” – the Forum will address the current issues involved in this multifaceted bilateral collaboration. We do not forget the past that brings us together, but our focus must be set firmly in the future.

The panels of this Forum will bring together experts from different fields in an exchange of ideas we hope will be fruitful, meaningful and relevant for all concerned.

Confucius Institute FLUL Student Won the 18 Chinese Culture Competition in Portugal following his Twin's Earlier Success

The Portuguese regional contest for the 18th "Chinese Bridge," an annual language and culture proficiency competition for college students, was held in Minho University, Braga on Saturday, May 4^th, 2019, with the victor following in his twin brother's steps two years earlier.

Under the theme of "One World and One Family," six students from Confucius Institutes in Lisbon University, Minho University and Coimbra University participated in the contest, which included a talent show.

The winner was Tomas Rodrigues Ilheu, a student from Confucius Institute in Lisbon University. He said that he started learning Chinese after his twin brother, Diogo Ilheu, got the second prize in the 2017 Chinese Bridge competition. The twin brothers gave themselves the Chinese names of Li Bai and Du Fu, two great Chinese poets in the Tang Dynasty.

 They said their family has set up a company to tap the new opportunities created by China's Belt and Road Initiative.

There are three students from Confucius Institute in Lisbon University, taking part in the Competition, Tomas Rodrigues Ilheu as the Champion, Vasco Joaquim de Sousa Esteves and Adriano Ulrix as the Excellent Prize.