On 18 May 2014, His Excellency Professor Aníbal Cavaco Silva, the President of the Portuguese Republic, visited Macao Polytechnic Institute. During the visit the President had a dialogue meeting with MPI students which more than 200 students and staff attended. President Cavaco Silva expressed his appreciation for MPI’s endeavours in promoting Portuguese teaching and research and development, and the hope that MPI would continue its collaboration with Portugal.

Prof. Lei Heong Iok, the President of MPI, spoke of MPI’s honour in having President Cavaco Silva visit the institute. President Cavaco Silva also expressed his gratitude to Professor Lei for his contribution to Portuguese studies: in establishing the Portuguese Language Teaching and Research Centre, launching Portuguese language training courses, and promoting Portuguese teaching. In addition, the President praised Professor Lei for his strategic vision with respect to Portuguese language education, and wished that the friendship and the cultural connections between China and Portugal could continue into the future.

In the dialogue meeting, President Cavaco Silva and Professor Lei exchanged gifts. With Mr Lei Chi Ngok, a former lecturer at MPI, Professor Lei presented a Chinese style portrait painting to the President who was overjoyed at receiving it.