On November 2nd, A Walk in Shamian Island to Experience Guangzhou (Portuguese-speaking Countries Youth Exchange Programme) was held in Shamian Island of Liwan District, Guangzhou. Over 30 students from Portuguese-speaking countries studying in the Macao Special Administrative Region and Macao students learning Portuguese joined this event.

Boasting geological strength in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Macao serves as a gateway for exchanges and cooperation between China and many Portuguese-speaking countries.

Walking on the historic Island with the century-old exotic architecture, they visited the Guangdong Foreign Affairs Museum and immersed themselves in traditional Lingnan culture by experiencing traditional Chinese incense, DIY sachet, and pith painting.

Macao-born and raised, Marco, an undergraduate at the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM), speaks fluent Cantonese, Portuguese, and English, and both of his parents are mixed Chinese-Portuguese. "I came to Guangzhou for the first time when I was a child. This is the second time to visit Guangzhou and I'm amazed by the food here!"

"This is the first time for me to come to Guangzhou. Through the tour, I have understood the important role of Macao and Guangzhou as coastal port cities in commercial activities. This event not only gives me the opportunity to learn more about Guangzhou from a political and cultural perspective but also allows me to visit different museums and experience Chinese traditional incense-making and pith painting," said Daniel Putra de Jesus, a sophomore from East Timor and now majoring in Economics at the University of Macau.

Daniel furthered that he also learned calligraphy, mooncake making in the Mid-Autumn Festival, and other Chinese traditional culture in Macao. "There have been many Chinese communities in my country since a long time ago. Before I often saw them celebrating festivals, displaying traditional clothing, and performing dragon dances on the street, but I didn't know what that meant. It's only when I pursued my study in Macao that I understood the inner meaning of these festivals and why the Chinese value them so much."

This activity is organized by the Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office and co-organized by the General Office of the Liwan District Government and the Shamian Sub-district Office of the Liwan District Government.