The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Florinda Chan, today met the President of Guinea-Bissau, Mr João Bernardo Vieira, who arrived yesterday for a two-day visit.

Mr Vieira, who was in Beijing to attend the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, made a courtesy call on Ms Chan this morning and they exchanged views on promoting co-operation between Macao and Guinea-Bissau, and Macao’s role as a business platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Mr Vieira then attended a luncheon hosted by Ms Chan, before touring the Macau Tower and visiting the Macao Foundation.

Later, he met the press at the Military Club and held a reception there for the Guinea-Bissau community in Macao, before attending a banquet hosted by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen.

In a speech, Mr Tam said that the Guinea-Bissau community in Macao worked hard in Macao and helped promote the economic links between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Mr Tam said he believed the relationship between Guinea-Bissau and Macao would enjoy an even closer relationship in the future.

After the dinner, Mr Vieira and members of his delegation left Macao for Hong Kong.