China and Portuguese speaking countries launch ocean research alliance
Over 70 representatives of member universities and institutes of the alliance in China and Portuguese-speaking countries joined the inauguration ceremony of the China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Ocean Research Alliance.
The alliance aims to bring together its members’ research strengths and resources in ocean science and promote exchange and cooperation in related areas between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Initiated by the University of Macau (UM), the first meeting of the alliance’s executive council was held online last week.

Currently, 19 influential universities and research institutes in the field of ocean science in China, Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique have joined the alliance, which will deepen cooperation in technological innovation and talent development.
Those who delivered speeches at the ceremony include
- Yonghua Song, rector of UM;
- Xu Jie, deputy director-general of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China;
- Wang Antao, head of the Third Division of International Cooperation of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Natural Resources of China.
Also represented were the Association of Portuguese Language Universities (AULP), the Department of Technology of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of Macao SAR, and Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon.
Huang Shengbiao, deputy head of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, and Ip Kuai Lam, member of the Administrative Committee of the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao, were present at the ceremony.
The alliance will enhance cooperation among universities and institutes in China and Portuguese-speaking countries in ocean science.
Members of the alliance will also deepen cooperation in resource sharing, scientific research, talent development, innovation, and community service.
After the ceremony, UM Vice Rector Rui Martins kicked off the first Ocean Research and Education Symposium in China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.
Several well-known experts from China and Portuguese-speaking countries gave keynote speeches during the event, including
- Chen Dake, director of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai);
- José Victor-Santos, president of Laboratory for Robotics and Engineering Systems (LARSyS), Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon;
- Dai Minhan, chair professor in the College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, among others.
The event attracted participants from nearly 20 universities and research institutes in China and Portuguese-speaking countries who engaged in discussions on ocean science and related topics.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error
Read More from The Rio Times