On November 28, 2025—marking the 50th anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste—the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment of Timor-Leste, Mr Gastão Fernando de Sousa, led a delegation on a visit to the Permanent Secretariat of Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao). The two parties exchanged views on leveraging the multilateral mechanism of Forum Macao and harnessing the advantages of the Macao platform to further advance co-operation within the Forum’s framework. Participants in the meeting included Secretary-General Mr Ji Xianzheng, Deputy Secretaries-General Ms Xie Ying and Mr António Lei, Coordinator of the Executive Office Ms Li Xiaohui, and the Representative of Timor-Leste Mr António Ramos da Silva, among other members of the Secretariat.

On the same day, the “Lecture on the Business Environment and Investment Promotion in Timor-Leste”  was held at the Complex of Commerce and Trade Co-operation Platform for China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, co-organized by the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao. The program featured the screening of a promotional video introducing Timor-Leste’s business environment and investment opportunities, a thematic address by Minister Gastão Fernando de Sousa, and an interactive exchange session with attending entrepreneurs. The event was attended by Secretary-General Mr Ji Xianzheng, the representative of the Association Friendship Macau-Timor, and other distinguished guests. Participants also included representatives from Macao’s commercial associations, business entities from mainland China and Macao, as well as all members of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao.

This lecture served to deepen participants’ understanding of Timor-Leste’s business environment, identify new co-operation opportunities, and promote collaboration and exchanges among mainland China, Macao, and Timor-Leste through Macao’s China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Platform.