When the BRICS cooperation commemorated its 10^th anniversary on 11 September, and the ninth meeting held at the Press Conference of the BRICS Xiamen Summit, our university was the first to respond. Leading by the Institute for Research on Portuguese-speaking Countries, Macau “One Belt, One Road” Research Centre, and the Ministry of Education Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities—Research Centre for Macau Social and Economic Development, we organized the "Macau and BRIC countries: Vision and Challenges" academic symposium, having an in-depth learning and understanding of the "Xiamen Declaration" and the mind-set of President Xi Jinping’s address, with quality discussion on how can Macau cooperate with BRIC countries and the challenges facing the future.

Mr. Chen Xin, Deputy Director of the Trade Office of the Economic Affairs Department of the LOCPG in Macao SAR; Mr. Zheng Xinyou, Director of Public Affairs and department of Public Information the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao SAR; Ms. Zhong Yi, Vice Chairman of Administrative Committee of Macao Foundation Executive; Mr. Yang Chongwei, Director of the Office of Personal Data Protection of the Macao SAR; Prof. Jiang Shixue, Vice President of China Emerging Economic Research Association and China Latin American Society as well as Distinguished Professor of Shanghai University; Mr. Hao Yufan, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences of Macao University; Mr. Lin Guangzhi, Dean of the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies of Macao University of Science and Technology; Mr. Wang Jianwei, Dean of Department of Government and Public Administration of Umac; Professor He Junzhi of the School of Government of Sun Yat-sen University; Mr. Mai Jianzhi, Chairman of Institute of European Studies of Macau; Ms. Gao Meiyan, Chairman of the Board of Xiamen Friendship General Association of Macao; Mr. Lin Zhenyu, Deputy Chairman of the board of Macao Institute of International Law and International Relations; our school Rector Shu Guang Zhang; Pro Rector and Dean of Institute for Research on Portuguese-speaking Countries Ip Kuai Peng and other experts and scholars attended the meeting.

In his speech, Pro Rector Ip Kuai Peng first introduced the background and achievements of the Xiamen BRIC meeting. He believed that Macau is a hot spot connecting Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa and China, especially with South China. Macau is not only an open and inclusive harmonious society, but also a foundation with Chinese culture as the mainstream, multi-cultural coexistence of exchange and cooperation in these four hundred years. Macau constantly engaged in the process of national development, actively cooperate with and participate in the new round of national opening strategy as a duty-bound, historical mission. It is hoped that the participating scholars would gather their ideas and give strategies for the country's foreign policy and Macau's local prosperity and stability.

Professor Jiang Shixue has made an objective analysis on the achievements and challenges faced by the BRIC countries starting “Some Problems in the Study of BRICS” as the topic of his keynote speech. It is not only necessary to see the bold attempts made in the financial sector and the positive role played by the BRIC countries in the international political aspects, but also the problems faced by the BRIC countries in terms of institutionalization and explicit in cooperation. He thought that the special seminar held in November 2009 regarding the business officials to pay attention to the development of the BRICS indicated Macau would be the best place for the permanent secretariat of the BRICS countries. He suggested that the SAR Government should consider setting up a BRIC study fund and a research fund in the Macau and consolidate the academic resources of higher education institutions in Macau, to set up a BRICS Research Center or create a BRICS National Information Center with both academic and business services, thus further consolidate Macau's platform status and function.

Dean Hao Yufan, Dean Wang Jianwei, Dean Lin Guangzhi, Chairman Mai Jianzhi, and Dean of the Institute of Economic Research Qiu Xiaohua had made speeches and comments. It is believed that we should stand in the international strategic pattern to understand the important role played by the BRIC countries in the process of China's rise. Under the current situation of “Deglobalization” of the international community, China attaches importance to multilateral diplomacy and tries to become not only the followers of the international rules but also the participants in it. To create a more favorable environment for their own development, the BRIC countries attempt to build a new international cooperation platform in this context. It is also argued that the BRICS has its historical significance at the beginning of its establishment in 2007, but it is important to redefine the positioning of the BRICS countries, giving the BRIC countries more centralized and specialized functions, thus more conducive to the five countries of its effective cooperation and development.

Some experts pointed out that, while more than 60 cooperation agreements and consensus had been made within this Conference of the BRICS Xiamen Summit, Macau can hit its breakthrough from three aspects. First, deepen the cooperation between Macau and Brazil. Macau is the bridge between China and Brazil in history. Strengthening tourism cooperation can become an important part of future cooperation. Second, strengthen cultural exchanges with the BRIC countries. The state promised that 40,000 training places will be provided in China for the BRIC countries next year. Macau's higher education institutions can play their own advantages, from which to seek suitable opportunities. Third, the marine economy is already a new fulcrum of BRIC cooperation. The 85 square kilometers of Watershed management rights currently owned by the Macau is a possible cutting point to look out for cooperation chances, such as coastal tourism and so on. In short, Macau is not far from the BRIC countries; on the contrary, Macau can facilitate its own preponderance, to go for its rooms for collaboration with the BRIC countries.

Finally, the experts agreed that Macau and BRIC countries are closely linked. With its unique superiority in history and culture, participating in BRIC cooperation turns to be a rare opportunity for Macau. In-depth studies should be carried out, to identify its cutting angle and utilize its own advantages to kick off, strengthening its cooperation thus achieving mutual benefit and win-win situation. In these respects, the Institute for Research on Portuguese-speaking Countries, Macau “One Belt, One Road” Research Centre, and Research Centre for Macau Social and Economic Development of the University can give full exert to their own strengths and features, committed to systematic academic research, graduate education and publication, strive to develop into a foothold and distinctive regional institution in Macau, to pursuit for excellence and high-quality, to carry on the expectations and exhortations of the state, the government, the community and the University, hence becoming the regional characteristics research and training base and think tank platform.

Group photo of the participants

Pro Rector Ip Kuai Peng delivering the speech

 Participants discussing on how can Macau cooperate with BRIC countries and the challenges facing the future