Macao has always acted as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries since the mid-16th Century. Now as China takes cooperation with Latin American countriesto a higher level, the former Portuguese colony is expected to undertake a bigger role.
Antonio, originally from Portugal, has run a restaurant since arriving in Macao 18 years ago.
The 67-year-old rolls out something extra for his customers today.
Aside from the restaurant, he's also in the import business.
While Antonio is in the business of bringing over food, others import skills or rather a way of life.
This is Josecler Filho, a Brazilian football coach.
He arrived in Macao 16 years ago, and eventually founded his own football school.
These are just a few of the many foreigners who have lived here in Macao. They come from Portuguese-speaking countries, they do business in Portuguese, and they have brought their culture with them, making Macao a unique blend, and also a bridge between the Chinese mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Macao's population of 600,000 people, counts about 30,000 amongst them as descendants from Portuguese-speaking countries.
The Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries" was first held in 2003 to stimulate investment opportunities. Since then, the bilateral trade volume increased to over 131 billion US dollars by the end of 2013, up over 13 times from 2003.
Analysts say Macao has unique advantage in promoting trade that dates back over 400 years.
"In the 16th Century, only Macao was opened for foreign trade, that linked us to the east, with Mexico, to the West, with India, Africa, Europe and Americas. It's the first step of globalization in foreign trade. Macao is the only place in China where we have the Latin language as an official language," said Gary Ngai, president of Macao Assoc. for Promotion of Exchange between Asia-Pacific & Latin America.
With time, Macao's importance as China's bridge to Portuguese-speaking nations may become more influential. Perhaps as Latin culture proliferates, the appetite for business will continue to grow.
