http://maigoc2007.sports.sina.com.cn 2007-05-23 MAIGOC
The initiative of ‘Four Continents One Language, United by Sports’, also the slogan of the 1st Lusofonia Games held in Macao last year, and which highlighted the Portuguese language as a common ground, contributed to the strong relations between China and countries with Portuguese as the official language. This was the comment of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Portugal. Gao Kexiang spoke during a meeting held in Lisbon with Manuel Silvério, President of the Association of the Portuguese Speaking Olympic Committees (ACOLOP). This meeting mainly focused on the relations between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and regions. The diplomat also emphasized: “the hosting of the Lusofonia Games in Macao demonstrated the wide range of possibilities of the relations between China, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries and regions.”
The ACOLOP President introduced to the Chinese Ambassador the preparations for the ‘Lisbon 2009, 2nd Lusofonia Games.’ He explained that this edition of the Games will maintain the same sports as in Macao, with possibilities of additional sports to the sport program. “Similar to Macao, the ‘Lisbon 2009, 2nd Lusofonia Games’ will have a strong cultural factor, allowing all participants to live a unique experience through the diversity of the lusofonia culture.”
Manuel Silvério is in Lisbon to attend several meetings related to the preparations for the 2nd Lusofonia Games and other ACOLOP projects. During his stay, he has met head officials of the Portuguese Olympic Committee and the Portuguese Secretary of State for Youth and Sports Laurentino Dias. The ACOLOP President has also met Fernando Lima Bello, Portuguese representative in the International Olympic Committee.
