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e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2

Thematic Dossier

Portugal and China in International Relations:

Historical Legacies and Contemporary Dynamics

February 2026

THE CHINESE DIASPORA IN PORTUGAL:

A TRANSNATIONAL PARADIPLOMATIC ECOSYSTEM IN SINO-PORTUGUESE

RELATIONS

JOÃO SIMÕES

joaosimoes@cityu.edu.mo

Assistant Professor at City University of Macau (China). He holds a Ph.D. in Portuguese-speaking

Countries Studies from the same university, a Master’s degree in Chinese Studies from the

University of Aveiro, Portugal, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering

from the University of Lisbon, Portugal. Prior to his current role, he taught at Xi’an International

Studies University, China. His current research focuses on Lusophony and the interactions

between Portuguese-speaking countries and China, as well as energy geopolitics.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1437-5527

ANDREIA SOFIA DA SILVA

andreiasofiasilva23@gmail.com

She holds a degree in Journalism from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of

Coimbra and a master’s degree in Contemporary History from the Faculty of Social Sciences and

Humanities at the Nova University of Lisbon (Portugal), where she is also pursuing her Ph.D. in

the same field. She works as a journalist for the daily newspaper Hoje Macau as a Portugal

correspondent and is the creator of the podcast Macau na Bagagem, a project focused on

collecting testimonies about Macau and its experiences. Her academic research primarily centers

on the 20th-century history of Macau, with a particular focus on the Estado Novo period. She is

the author of the book O Lápis Vermelho - A Censura do Estado Novo à Imprensa de Macau,

which examines the role and operations of the Press Censorship Commission in Macau during the

Estado Novo era, analyzing its impact on both Portuguese and Chinese newspapers.

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0791-2961

Abstract

This study examines the Chinese diaspora in Portugal as a multi-layered transnational

paradiplomatic ecosystem shaping contemporary Sino-Portuguese relations, advancing

beyond Bongardt and Neves (2007) and Neves and Rocha-Trindade (2008)’s tripartite model

of economic facilitation, network leverage, and cultural bridging. Through mixed-methods

analysis (document review, and community member interviews). Findings reveal three post-

pandemic evolutionary shifts: (1) economic diversification beyond traditional commerce into

technology and technology and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); (2) institutional

innovation through organizations like the Liga dos Chineses and Câmara de Comércio

Portugal-China PME, brokering subnational partnerships, leveraging Macao/Hengqin as

strategic platforms for exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, and

pioneering initiatives like AI-driven TCM integration and Porto’s trilingual school; and (3)

platform amplification where state-created infrastructures enable trilateral ventures and

diaspora capital circulation. Despite challenges - including bureaucratic inefficiencies, and

generational engagement gaps - the community demonstrates adaptive resilience as

architects of relational infrastructure, sustaining bilateral ties through economic, cultural, and

institutional capital flows that redefine engagement beyond state-centric diplomacy.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2

Thematic Dossier - Portugal and China in International Relations: Historical Legacies

and Contemporary Dynamics

February 2026, pp. 99-125

The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

100

Keywords

Chinese community in Portugal, Sino-Portuguese relations, paradiplomacy, diaspora capital,

Transnational entrepreneurship.

Resumo

Este estudo analisa a diáspora chinesa em Portugal como um ecossistema paradiplomático

transnacional e multiestratificado que molda as relações contemporâneas sino‑portuguesas,

ultrapassando o modelo tripartido proposto por Bongardt e Neves (2007) e Neves e

Rocha‑Trindade (2008), centrado na facilitação económica, na alavancagem de redes e na

mediação cultural. A partir de uma metodologia mista (revisão documental e entrevistas a

membros da comunidade), os resultados revelam três transformações evolutivas no período

pós‑pandémico: (1) diversificação económica para além do comércio tradicional, com

expansão para os setores da tecnologia e da medicina tradicional chinesa (MTC); (2) inovação

institucional através de organizações como a Liga dos Chineses em Portugal e a Câmara de

Comércio Portugal‑China PME, que promovem parcerias subnacionais, utilizam

Macau/Hengqin como plataformas estratégicas para as relações entre a China e os países de

língua portuguesa, e impulsionam iniciativas pioneiras como a integração de MTC baseada em

inteligência artificial e a criação da escola trilingue no Porto; e (3) amplificação através de

plataformas estatais que possibilitam empreendimentos trilaterais e a circulação de capital

diaspórico. Apesar de desafios persistentes - incluindo ineficiências burocráticas e lacunas de

envolvimento intergeracional - a comunidade revela uma resiliência adaptativa enquanto

arquiteta de infraestruturas relacionais, sustentando os laços bilaterais através de fluxos

económicos, culturais e institucionais que reconfiguram o envolvimento sino‑português para

além da diplomacia centrada no Estado.

Palavras-chave

Comunidade chinesa em Portugal, Relações sino‑portuguesas, Paradiplomacia, Capital da

diáspora, Empreendedorismo transnacional.

How to cite this article

Simões, João & Silva, Andreia Sofia da (2026). The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational

Paradiplomatic Ecosystem in Sino-Portuguese Relations. Janus.net, e-journal of international

relations. Thematic Dossier - Portugal and China in International Relations: Historical Legacies and

Contemporary Dynamics, VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2, February 2026, pp. 99-125.

https://doi.org/10.26619/1647-7251.DT0126.5

Article submitted on 31st October 2025 and accepted for publication on 2nd January 2026.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2

Thematic Dossier - Portugal and China in International Relations: Historical Legacies

and Contemporary Dynamics

February 2026, pp. 99-125

The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

101

THE CHINESE DIASPORA IN PORTUGAL:

A TRANSNATIONAL PARADIPLOMATIC ECOSYSTEM IN

SINO-PORTUGUESE RELATIONS

JOÃO SIMÕES

ANDREIA SOFIA DA SILVA

Introduction

The year 2019 marked a symbolic apex in diplomatic relations between Portugal and the

People’s Republic of China (PRC), commemorating four decades since the establishment

of formal ties on February 8, 1979. This milestone triggered a series of high-profile

events, including an official reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Lisbon (Diário

do Povo Online, 2019) and an academic conference at the Museu do Oriente (Fundação

Oriente, 2019), reflecting the depth of bilateral engagement. These celebrations

honoured a relationship that emerged from decades of Cold War ambiguity, during which

Macao - and its politically connected Chinese elite - served as a critical, albeit shadowed,

conduit. As Alexandre (2023) notes, this group “maintained privileged relations with

communist Chinese authorities while exerting significant influence within Portuguese

administration in the enclave,” laying the groundwork for future ties.

High-level exchanges underscore the relationship’s strategic importance. President Xi

Jinping’s 2018 state visit to Portugal (Presidência da República Portuguesa, 2018) and

the 2024 visit of Zhao Leji, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress, who met

with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro (Observador,

2024), demonstrate sustained political commitment. Concurrently, China’s economic

footprint in Portugal evolved dramatically. While early Chinese immigration (post-1980s)

gravitated toward small commerce, Portugal’s Golden Visa program (ARI) catalysed a

transformative wave of investment and diversified entrepreneurship, shifting community

profiles from retailers to major investors in energy, finance, and technology.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, exposed vulnerabilities. businesses with links to

China, particularly wholesale hubs like Varziela in Vila do Conde, faced temporary

closures and discrimination fuelled by the pandemic’s origins in Wuhan. Consumer

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest related to the research,

authorship, or publication of this study.

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2

Thematic Dossier - Portugal and China in International Relations: Historical Legacies

and Contemporary Dynamics

February 2026, pp. 99-125

The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

102

avoidance of Chinese-owned stores prompted Lisbon’s municipality to launch anti-stigma

campaigns (Observador, 2020). Yet, the most significant recent friction emerged in

telecommunications security: Portugal’s 2023 decision - guided by the Superior Council

for Cyberspace Security (CSSC) - to exclude Huawei from its 5G infrastructure, citing

“high risk” for non-EU/NATO suppliers (Público, 2023), drew sharp criticisms. Bernardo

Mendia, Secretary-General of the Luso-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, condemned the

move as capitulation to “foreign interests,” arguing that it, without justification,

undermined centuries of successful cooperation (Público, 2024). Chinese Ambassador

Zhao Bentang echoed this, framing the exclusion as reflective of a “Cold War mentality”

(Expresso, 2024).

Despite such tensions, economic collaboration has persisted in robust ways, as evidenced

by China’s €2 billion investment in CALB’s lithium battery factory in Sines (Observador,

2025). In addition, the recent accelerated development of Macao as a strategic platform

between China and Portuguese-speaking countries - including the establishment and

growth of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (GMDCZH) - has

fundamentally reshaped the context.

Traditional scholarship on international relations, including studies of the bilateral

relationship between Portugal and China, has often prioritized the actions of

governments, official agreements, and high-level diplomacy as primary drivers shaping

the relationship. This focus risks overlooking less visible yet no less significant

contributions of non-state actors operating beneath and alongside formal state channels.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted ties binding China and

Portugal, it is crucial to shift attention towards the enduring human connections fostered

by the Chinese community in Portugal.

Moreover, dedicated scholarly research focusing explicitly on the role of the Chinese

community in Portugal remains relatively scarce and outdated, often failing to capture

their contemporary dynamism and multifaceted contributions. Seminal research by

Bongardt and Neves (2007) and Neves and Rocha-Trindade (2008) demonstrates that

the Chinese business community in Portugal is a significant, multi-faceted and dynamic

actor that facilitates relations between China and Portugal through providing three critical

functions: (1) facilitating trade and investment flows, (2) leveraging powerful networks

for market advantage, and (3) providing vital institutional and cultural bridging. This

multi-faceted role involves trade and economic facilitation through channelling exports

and foreign direct investment, utilizing network dynamics (notably guanxi) to consolidate

competitive positions within the European market, and engaging in institutional and

cultural bridging, thereby significantly strengthening the economic and diplomatic ties

between Portugal (and the European Union) and the People’s Republic of China. However,

those studies, dating from 2007 and 2008, now require updating to reflect the profound

transformations of the last years.

Recent changes within the Chinese community itself, along with evolving strategies and

influence of its representative institutions, rapid technological advancements and shifting

global economic dynamics, have introduced new dimensions to diasporic engagement

and influence. These developments create a need for contemporary research to re-

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2

Thematic Dossier - Portugal and China in International Relations: Historical Legacies

and Contemporary Dynamics

February 2026, pp. 99-125

The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

103

examine the role, strategies, and impact of the Chinese community in Portugal, providing

an updated understanding of this essential actor in Sino-Portuguese relations.

This study seeks to address the following central question: How has the Chinese

community in Portugal evolved and what roles does it play in shaping contemporary Sino-

Portuguese relations, particularly in the post-pandemic era? To address this research gap,

this study employs a multi-method approach. Building on a review of academic literature,

it integrates critical analysis of official documents, to map the community’s demographic

evolution and institutional presence. This analysis is enriched by insights gathered

through semi-structured interviews with relevant members of the Chinese community,

including business leaders and association representatives, as well as scholars, capturing

grounded perspectives on their evolving roles and strategies, to complement a document-

based analysis. The interviews, conducted between February and July 2025, were carried

out in Portuguese and later translated into English by the authors to ensure accessibility

and accuracy.

This study is structured as follows: first, a conceptual approach to diaspora agency;

second, an overview of the Chinese community in Portugal and its current composition;

third, a detailed description and analysis of its principal contemporary roles in Sino-

Portuguese relations; fourth, a presentation and discussion of key insights derived from

the interviews; and finally, conclusions synthesizing the findings and discussing their

implications for understanding diaspora diplomacy and bilateral ties.

Diaspora Agency: A Conceptual Approach

Diasporas are increasingly recognized as influential agents in international relations. Far

from being static entities, contemporary diasporas function as dynamic, multi-layered

ecosystems that facilitate transnational engagement through entrepreneurial agency,

institutional brokering, and the strategic use of geopolitical and economic platforms. In

the analysis that follows, we will examine the multifaceted roles of diasporas, drawing on

key concepts that underscore their impact across various dimensions.

At the micro-foundational level, diasporas demonstrate their agency through

transnational entrepreneurship and network capital. Members of diasporas act as

transnational entrepreneurs, leveraging their unique positionality to bridge societies and

mobilize resources embedded within social networks (Brinkerhoff, 2016; Drori et al.,

2009). Social capital, including culturally specific forms such as guanxi - relational

networks rooted in reciprocity and trust - plays a critical role in enabling diaspora

entrepreneurs to exploit structural opportunities, such as market gaps or policy incentives

(Xin & Pearce, 1996). Portes (1998) defines social capital as resources embedded within

social networks. This facilitates cross-border trade, investment flows, and market

integration, underscoring their adaptability to shifting economic and policy landscapes

(Drori et al., 2009).

At the meso-structural level, diasporas extend their influence through paradiplomacy and

institutional brokering. Formal organizations within diasporas engage in paradiplomacy,

conducting international activities that parallel or operate independently of central state

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2

Thematic Dossier - Portugal and China in International Relations: Historical Legacies

and Contemporary Dynamics

February 2026, pp. 99-125

The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

104

diplomacy (Kuznetsov, 2015; Lecours, 2008). Acting as institutional brokers (Saxenian,

2006), they mediate between home and host country actors, particularly at sub-national

levels like municipalities and businesses. Through activities such as facilitating

agreements, hosting delegations, and providing localized business intelligence, these

organizations contribute to decentralized diplomacy that prioritizes tangible socio-

economic outcomes (Brinkerhoff, 2016).

On the macro-structural level, diasporas amplify their impact through platform leverage

and strategic intermediation. Contemporary diasporas strategically utilize institutional

and spatial platforms - such as special economic zones, cultural hubs, chambers of

commerce, and multi-lateral forums - to enhance their efficacy and reach (Gawer, 2014;

McIntyre & Srinivasan, 2017). By integrating into platform governance structures and

leveraging associated resources and incentives, they create new pathways for trade,

investment, knowledge transfer, and multi-lateral cooperation. These platforms, designed

to reduce transaction costs and generate network effects, serve as critical amplifiers of

diaspora influence.

Underlying all these dimensions is diaspora capital, a cross-cutting resource that

encompasses the unique reservoir of social, cultural, linguistic, economic, and

knowledge-based assets inherent to diasporas (Cohen, 2008; Elo & Riddle, 2016). This

capital enables entrepreneurial ventures, legitimizes institutional brokering, facilitates

cultural transmission, and enhances the effectiveness of platform engagement.

The multi-faceted roles of diasporas, as outlined above, operate as a multi-layered

transnational para-diplomatic ecosystem. This conceptual framework finds concrete

illustration in the specific context of Sino-Portuguese relations, where the Chinese

diaspora in Portugal represents a significant case study of diaspora agency in action.

A Community in Change

The Chinese community in Portugal exhibits distinct characteristics shaped by a

significant, complex historical evolution that spanned centuries, as well as

entrepreneurial dynamism and continued adaptation to policy and social contexts. While

often associated with modern migratory waves, the community’s presence traces back

remarkably far. Documented encounters began as early as the 16th century, “when three

Chinese were brought to Portugal as slaves,” predating the Portuguese kingdom’s

prohibition on the trafficking of Chinese slaves in February 1624 (Li, 2019). Subsequent

centuries witnessed more specialized, albeit still limited in number, arrivals, notably in

the 19th century with individuals like Lau-a-Teng and Lau-a-Pen, interpreters and

masters from Macao, who were brought to São Miguel Island in the Azores to teach tea

cultivation techniques (Li, 2019). While these early presences were sporadic and often

involuntary or tied to specific colonial projects, they form a foundational layer of historical

contact.

However, substantial growth began in the 1980s. Such migration, originating particularly

from regions such as Wenzhou and initially concentrating in urban centres like Lisbon,

Faro, and Porto, were characterized predominantly by male economic migrants engaging

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2

Thematic Dossier - Portugal and China in International Relations: Historical Legacies

and Contemporary Dynamics

February 2026, pp. 99-125

The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

105

in entrepreneurship (Gaspar, 2017; Reis de Oliveira, 2003), often driven by aspirations

for prosperity, social mobility, and to fulfil filial obligations (Rodrigues, 2018). Since then,

however, the migrant communities have undergone significant transformation: they have

dispersed geographically across Portugal; their origins have diversified to include for

example Macao, Mozambique, and various regions of mainland China; and the proportion

of female has increased (Gaspar, 2017; Bongardt & Neves, 2014). Their complexity

continues to increase with the emergence of a 1.5 generation (those migrating as

children/adolescents) and a second generation (Gaspar, 2018).

It may be challenging to census the Chinese community in Portugal, as many immigrants

have acquired Portuguese nationality over the years and have ceased to appear in foreign

population statistics, and this transition complicates the process of accurately measuring

the diaspora, as recent data has shown: in 2023, Portugal hosted 1,044,238 legal foreign

residents (9.8% of the total population), up 34% from 2022 (PORDATA, 2024b), an

increasing trend that had begun in 2015. Within these foreign residents, holders of

Chinese (PRC) nationality constituted 2.5% (approximately 26,100 individuals), well

below figures pertaining to more dominant communities like that of the Brazilians

(28.9%) (PORDATA, 2024b). In 2022, the PORDATA reported (via Eurostat and National

Statistics Institute [INE] data) 798,480 foreign residents, among whom 3.3% were

Chinese nationals (about 26,400 people) (PORDATA, 2024a). In comparison, the 2021

census on Chinese nationals (excluding naturalized citizens) showed only 14,109

individuals (Instituto Nacional de Estatística, 2021). This difference suggests that

demographic assessment of the Chinese community in Portugal should be conducted with

caution due to the significant presence and impact of not only migratory shifts but also

naturalization: as noted by PORDATA (2024a), half a million foreigners acquired

Portuguese nationality between 2008 and 2022; in addition, there is statistical

underrepresentation of the community, compounded by individuals’ intra-European

mobility and generational integration (i.e., children born in Portugal to naturalized

Chinese immigrants become Portuguese citizens by birth).

The migratory streams through which the Chinese community in Portugal undergoes

significant diversification reflect evolving economic ties and educational opportunities.

One of the notable streams has been university students, with many of whom arriving

for short-term studies (typically one to two years) before returning to China seeking

employment, while some choosing to remain in Portugal for work or postgraduate studies

(Li, 2019). Another stream has been major Chinese investments in strategic Portuguese

sectors - such as energy (e.g., State Grid Corporation of China) and finance (e.g., Fosun,

Haitong) - that have been not only driving an influx of highly skilled technical

professionals and executives, but also accelerating business development in Portugal.

These professionals—some sojourning only briefly while others establishing longer-term

residency—often arrive alone initially, but subsequently bringing their families over via

family reunification. This pattern allows spouses to support business activities and

children to access the Portuguese education system. These children who immigrate

during their formative years (the so-called “1.5 generation”) often exhibit “a higher level

of education and better economic conditions” compared to earlier waves of migrants (Li,

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2

Thematic Dossier - Portugal and China in International Relations: Historical Legacies

and Contemporary Dynamics

February 2026, pp. 99-125

The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

106

2019). They therefore represent a significant evolution in the community’s socioeconomic

profile and integration trajectory.

A defining characteristic of the Chinese community in Portugal is the exceptionally high

rate of entrepreneurship among Chinese immigrants in Portugal, the highest among all

immigrant groups (Oliveira, 2010; Reis Oliveira, 2021). This entrepreneurial drive is

attributed primarily to structural factors - notably access to capital, supportive legal and

policy frameworks, and dense co-ethnic networks - rather than cultural factors alone

(Reis de Oliveira, 2003; Reis Oliveira, 2021). Chinese business strategies rely heavily on

guanxi (Personal networks), family labour, transnational connections linking Portugal to

China and broader European markets, and sometimes engagement in the informal

economy (Bongardt & Neves, 2007; Reis de Oliveira, 2003; Góis et al., 2005). Chinese

entrepreneurs have proven highly adaptive and proficient at leveraging shifting

opportunity structures within Portugal, and proactively engaging with the global

economy, including China’s “Go Global” policy (Oliveira, 2010; Bongardt & Neves, 2014;

Neves & Rocha-Trindade, 2008).

Major policy shifts have reconfigured the community’s profile. Changes to immigration

laws following the 2008/09 economic crisis and the introduction of Portugal’s Golden Visa

program (ARI) have significantly altered migration patterns (Bongardt & Neves, 2014;

Amante & Rodrigues, 2020; Santos et al., 2023). The Golden Visa, in particular, has

attracted a new wave of affluent investors, distinct from earlier labour migrants. One

study reported that 46.1% of Chinese residents in Lisbon hold ARI status or belong to

ARI holder families (Amante & Rodrigues, 2020). This has led to increased internal

heterogeneity, a dualistic community structure (contrasting small traditional businesses

with large-scale investors), rising socio-economic inequality, greater internationalization,

and potentially less community cohesion (Bongardt & Neves, 2014; Santos et al., 2023).

Choi Hin Man, a prominent businessman and president of the Luso-Chinese Merchants

and Industrialists Association, highlighted the economic diversification beyond traditional

sectors:

The Chinese community in Portugal has diversified its economic activities

over the years. Besides traditional sectors such as retail (convenience stores,

restaurants, and import/export), there is growth in areas such as technology,

tourism, real estate, and financial services (Personal communication,

February 2025).

This shift has been influenced by policy changes, particularly the Golden Visa program.

Dinis Ka Chon Chan, a Macao-born legal expert and president of the Macao Students

Association in Porto, noted that recent restrictions on Golden Visas (limiting real estate

purchases in dense urban areas) have redirected investments to other regions or sectors,

such as renewable energy, agriculture, and start-ups, but bureaucratic hurdles at the

Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA, a government body responsible for

managing migration and asylum processes) have created uncertainty, leading some

investors to choose other countries (Personal communication, February 2025).

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2

Thematic Dossier - Portugal and China in International Relations: Historical Legacies

and Contemporary Dynamics

February 2026, pp. 99-125

The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

107

Zheng Zhibin, director of the Chinese Community Support Centre in Lisbon, confirmed

the emergence of new economic activities such as real estate agencies and construction,

but highlighted those bureaucratic delays are a major deterrent for new migrants:

I think it’s more difficult to attract Chinese people to live here nowadays

because the system at AIMA is very slow. Even for those who want to buy a

house or invest in something, the process is extremely slow, and they can’t

get the [residence] card. Everything is very slow, and they can’t handle their

affairs, so they go to other countries and compare Portugal with other

countries. If there are places where the system is faster and where buying

or investing is more economical, the Chinese choose to go there, but they

continue to invest here. Portugal functions as an intermediate zone because

even if they want to go to other countries, it’s not as easy to obtain nationality

there. This is the same situation for Indians, Pakistanis, and Nepalese

(Personal communication, February 2025).

The community’s structure has become more heterogeneous, with Wang Suoying, a

prominent Chinese teacher who has been living in Portugal for several decades and is the

president of the Portuguese Association of Friends of Chinese Culture, noting

diversification in restaurant offerings (e.g., Korean and Japanese cuisine) and the rise of

tech-related businesses:

Many fruit shops and grocery stores have emerged. We have Korean and

Japanese restaurants owned by Chinese people. There is diversification in the

restaurant sector, as well as with grocery stores. Chinese companies have

been established by emigrants, and currently, there are two main types: we

have large investment companies like China Three Gorges, and other

companies created by Chinese people who have ventured into other areas

(Personal communication, February 2025).

Y Ping Chow, president of the League of Chinese in Portugal and the Portugal-China SME

Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the strategic push into technology and traditional

Chinese medicine (TCM), which represents a new phase of economic activities:

At the moment, we are trying to develop growth in the area of new

technologies, because last year the Zhuhai Science and New Technologies

Centre appointed our Chamber of Commerce [CCPC-PME] as its point of

contact in Portugal. The idea is to develop activities in the field of technology

and encourage Portuguese companies to invest in Zhuhai. In this sense, we

are pursuing a new type of investment in the sciences and technology sector.

Businesses in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are also developing, and

we will try to promote the idea of advancing TCM (Personal communication,

February 2025).

JANUS.NET, e-journal of International Relations

e-ISSN: 1647-7251

VOL. 16, Nº. 2, TD2

Thematic Dossier - Portugal and China in International Relations: Historical Legacies

and Contemporary Dynamics

February 2026, pp. 99-125

The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

108

Integration challenges persist, particularly for new families. Helena Yuan Dong, founder

of the CLAN Association for Youth Cultural and Educational Innovation, stressed language

barriers and the struggle to maintain cultural identity associated with immigrants who

are in the process of integrating into their new community: “We have to force [our

children] to open their minds to learn a new language, which is difficult for us... We must

maintain our nature” (Personal communication, February 2025). On the other hand,

Maria Fernanda Ilhéu, president of the Friends of the New Silk Road Association and a

professor with extensive experience in Macao, described the community as increasingly

integrated yet maintaining its identity, and observes that the community “has

modernized, gained value, and evolved towards other types of activities [...] the children

born here are engineers, architects, lawyers, and doctors” (Personal communication,

February 2025).

The outcome of such integration can be strongly influenced by age of arrival and

proficiency of the Portuguese language - early arrival and language acquisition facilitate

better educational outcomes, healthcare access, and social integration, while language

barriers are a major obstacle in these areas and are linked to higher early school dropout

rates (Gaspar, 2018; Aparício et al., 2023; Gaspar et al., 2021; Oliveira et al., 2007). The

1.5 generation generally integrates more successfully than their parents, though

involvement in family businesses can hinder educational and social integration for

younger members (Gaspar, 2018; Jin & Gómez-Pellón, 2023). In addition, co-ethnic

networks are vital for economic integration, job acquisition, and social support, especially

where language barriers persist but strong transnational ties are maintained (Oliveira,

2003a; Marques et al., 2005). Acculturation involves complex negotiations, with

traditional beliefs and practices often persisting alongside adaptation, leading to

intergenerational acculturation gaps and conflicts (Jin & Gómez-Pellón, 2023). This

complexity is also reflected in areas like the ambivalent cultural identity expressed by

subgroups like the Macanese diaspora (Gaspar et al., 2021).

The Chinese business community in Portugal plays a significant and multifaceted role in

facilitating relations between China and Portugal, particularly within the context of

economic globalization and EU-China ties. Seminal research by Bongardt and Neves

(2007) and Neves and Rocha-Trindade (2008) provides a detailed analysis of this

community’s characteristics, dynamics, and strategic functions. A core function identified

by both studies is trade and economic facilitation. Bongardt and Neves (2007) have

documented the community’s dominance within Portugal’s service sector, especially in

retail and wholesale trade, and found that the community acts as a key channel for

Chinese exports into Portugal and, by extension, the broader European Union market

(Bongardt & Neves, 2007). Moreover, the community serves as a conduit for foreign

direct investment (FDI), channeling capital flows back to China (Bongardt & Neves,

2007). Neves and Rocha-Trindade (2008) corroborate this notion, emphasizing the

community’s position as catalysts for economic flows and as vital entry points for Chinese

goods into the Portuguese market, as well as its role in mobilizing investment into China

(Neves & Rocha-Trindade, 2008). Both studies concur that these economic activities are

fundamental to strengthening bilateral economic relations between China and Portugal

(Bongardt & Neves, 2007; Neves & Rocha-Trindade, 2008).

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Central to the community’s business operations are network dynamics. Bongardt and

Neves (2007) highlight the critical importance of guanxi (personal and business

relationship) networks. These intricate networks, extending within Europe, enable the

community to leverage advantages of the European single market, consolidate their

competitive position, and facilitate cross-border business activities (Bongardt & Neves,

2007). Neves and Rocha-Trindade (2008) similarly underscore the significance of these

business networks, describing the community as a significant link bridging Portugal and

China (Neves & Rocha-Trindade, 2008). Both studies emphasize that formal and informal

networks are instrumental in supporting business operations and facilitating market

integration (Bongardt & Neves, 2007; Neves & Rocha-Trindade, 2008).

Beyond economics, both studies recognize the community’s function in institutional and

cultural bridging. While Bongardt and Neves (2007) acknowledge this bridging role,

Neves and Rocha-Trindade (2008) provide a more explicit analysis of its institutional and

cultural dimensions. They describe the community as acting as “institutional brokers” and

agents of “para-diplomacy” (decentralized diplomacy) for Chinese provincial and local

governments, facilitating sub-national connections (Neves & Rocha-Trindade, 2008).

Additionally, the community serves as a source of valuable “economic intelligence,”

providing insights on business opportunities, market characteristics, and local business

culture to Chinese authorities (Neves & Rocha-Trindade, 2008). Both studies also note

the community’s contribution to cultural transmission, aiding in the dissemination of

Chinese culture within Portugal (Bongardt & Neves, 2007; Neves & Rocha-Trindade,

2008).

In sum, previous research by Bongardt and Neves (2007) and Neves and Rocha-Trindade

(2008) demonstrates that the Chinese business community in Portugal is a dynamic actor

that facilitates trade and investment flows, leverages powerful networks for market

advantage, and performs vital institutional and cultural bridging functions, significantly

strengthening the economic and diplomatic ties between Portugal (and the EU) and

China.

Institutional Framework

The preceding analysis of the Chinese community’s historical trajectory and

contemporary profile underscores not only its demographic and socioeconomic

transformation but also its increasing complexity and scope of activity. This evolution has

facilitated the development of more structured mechanisms for collective action and

representation. Consequently, the community’s agency as a diplomatic actor, operating

independently or alongside state channels - often termed para-diplomacy - is significantly

mediated through its formal institutions.

This section therefore examines the institutional framework, focusing specifically on the

Liga dos Chineses em Portugal (LCP), the Câmara de Comércio e Indústria Luso-Chinesa

para Pequenas e Médias Empresas (CCPC-PME), and the Portugal–Hong Kong Chamber

of Commerce and Industry (PHKCCI). It analyzes how these key organizations translate

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the community’s evolving presence and capabilities into concrete para-diplomatic

activities, influencing the dynamics of Sino-Portuguese relations.

The Liga dos Chineses em Portugal is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that

represents the Chinese community residing in Portugal. Established on June 20, 1991

and officially founded in 1997, its primary mission is to promote the integration of the

Chinese community into Portuguese society while fostering dialogue and cultural

exchange between the two communities. As a recognized representative at the High

Commission for Migration, the Liga plays a vital role in strengthening bilateral relations

between Portugal and China. It facilitates business opportunities, supports the

internationalization of Portuguese companies entering the Chinese market, and serves as

an intermediary in commercial partnerships. Additionally, the Liga organizes cultural

events such as Chinese New Year celebrations, and collaborates with municipalities to

establish partnerships that highlight Chinese traditions in Portugal. Through its extensive

network, the organization continues to build bridges between the two nations, ensuring

cultural dissemination, business collaboration, and community integration.

The Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China Pequenas e Médias Empresas (CCPC-PME) is a

specialized bilateral trade association dedicated to fostering and supporting commercial

relations specifically between Portuguese and Chinese small and medium-sized

enterprises (SMEs). Headquartered in Lisbon, its core mission is to act as a vital bridge,

facilitating market entry, promoting networking opportunities, and providing tailored

services to help SMEs from both Portugal and China navigate the complexities of cross-

border trade. The chamber offers practical support such as market intelligence, business

matchmaking, trade missions, and advisory services, all aimed at creating mutually

beneficial partnerships and enhancing the visibility and success of its SME members

within the dynamic Portugal-China economic corridor. It serves as a crucial platform for

smaller businesses seeking to engage effectively in this important bilateral relationship.

Maria Fernanda Ilhéu emphasized these associations’ function as cultural and economic

bridges and not political propaganda: “What these associations do [is] nothing political:

they organize parties, lunches, dinners, and receive people from China”; they serve as

“emissaries” for Chinese provincial authorities, helping organize visits and promote

economic opportunities (Personal communication, February 2025). Y Ping Chow

reinforced this non-ideological stance: “We do not do propaganda for Beijing. What we

want is to promote Chinese culture and develop relations with China” (Personal

communication, February 2025). In this regard, Choi Hin Man observes: “The Chinese

community plays an indirect diplomatic role, facilitating dialogue between the two

countries” (Personal communication, February 2025). Rather than engaging in ideological

advocacy, the community focuses on creating opportunities for cooperation. The

associations also provide vital support for cultural events and business networking. Wang

Suoying added that the associations distribute gifts from Chinese provincial governments

during festivals and help coordinate visits by Chinese delegations, which focus on

economic promotion rather than political messaging (Personal communication, February

2025).

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The para-diplomatic activities of the Liga dos Chineses em Portugal and CCPC-PME involve

extensive subnational cooperation, as evidenced by these key initiatives:

1. Municipal cooperation agreements: CCPC-PME facilitated the signing of a

memorandum of understanding for friendly cooperation between Nan’an, Fujian

(China) and Maia (Portugal). This agreement aims to strengthen economic, trade,

and cultural ties, leveraging Maia’s strategic position as a gateway to Europe. The

ceremony involved municipal officials and association representatives (Câmara de

Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021).

2. Provincial delegation exchanges: A delegation from Hunan Province (China) visited

Portugal, on invitation by the Liga dos Chineses, to study the diaspora and promote

economic cooperation. This included meetings with diaspora associations, visits to

Chinese businesses in Vila do Conde, and support for establishing a Hunan Natives

Association in Portugal (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021). Similarly,

a delegation from Henan Province (China) visited the CCPC-PME and met with Vila

Nova de Gaia officials to discuss cooperation in trade, culture, agriculture, and

tourism (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021).

3. City-specific industrial and tech partnerships: An official delegation from Zhongshan

(China) visited Alenquer Municipality and signed a cooperation protocol with CCPC-

PME (represented by Y Ping Chow) and Zhongshan’s Science and Technology

Department. This focused on bio-pharmaceuticals and health industries (Câmara de

Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2025b). In addition, Changchun (China), a major

industrial hub, visited Porto and signed a cooperation agreement with the Instituto

Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP), which focuses on automotive innovation

(especially EVs) and cultural exchanges like wushu promotion (Câmara de Comércio

Portugal-China PME, 2021).

4. Business association linkages: CCPC-PME met with the Wuxi SME Association (China)

to explore new international cooperation paradigms, emphasizing technological

innovation, renewable energy, and finance (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China

PME, 2025b). They also visited Tianjin to discuss cold chain logistics projects and

mineral imports (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021), and explored

energy storage opportunities in Xiamen (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China PME,

2021).

5. Platform development in strategic zones: CCPC-PME played a key role in delegations

visiting the GMDCZH, promoting its role as a platform for CPLP countries. This

included meetings with the Macao Chief Executive and signing agreements to

establish representative offices like the Centro de Cooperação e Intercâmbio de

Ciência e Tecnologia China-PLP Delegação no Porto (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-

China PME, 2021; Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021).

6. Cultural and creative city diplomacy: CCPC-PME hosted a delegation from Yangzhou

(China), a UNESCO Creative City (Gastronomy), during the UCCN Annual Conference

in Braga, discussing cultural exchange and investment opportunities (Câmara de

Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021).

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7. Institutional partnerships: CCPC-PME signed a cooperation agreement with the

Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Porto (ESHT) to facilitate market entry for

CPLP products in Hengqin/Macao/China and support Macao’s tourism hub

development (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021). They also

established the Associação de Cooperação Amigável para PME in Qinhuangdao, Hebei

(China) to support SME internationalization (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China

PME, 2021).

8. Political/diplomatic support: The Liga dos Chineses em Portugal actively engages in

supporting the political-diplomatic positions of the People’s Republic of China and its

Special Administrative Regions, demonstrating its role as a key representative body

for the diaspora. This involvement includes organizing events addressing core

national interests such as Taiwan policy and Macao’s governance. In 2022, the

League coordinated a significant protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon opposing

then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. During this event, League

President Y Ping Chow articulated its purpose to Hoje Macau: “We just want to show

Americans it’s not worth provoking war in the Pacific because we Chinese are a

peaceful people, and this is how we want to solve problems” (Hoje Macau, 2022).

Furthermore, the League has publicly endorsed political processes within Macao,

notably backing Ho Iat Seng’s 2019 candidacy for Chief Executive. Chow emphasized

this support, stating: “The Chinese League, as most members are from Zhejiang,

gives its support and would like to promote his [Ho Iat Seng’s] visit to the country.

His election can benefit relations between the Government and Chinese residents in

Portugal, and can also bring great benefits to the community” (Hoje Macau, 2019).

These actions highlight the League’s function in mobilizing overseas Chinese support

for Beijing’s strategic objectives and regional leadership aligned with its interests.

These activities demonstrate that the Liga dos Chineses and CCPC-PME serve as crucial

intermediaries, facilitating direct engagement between Chinese provinces/municipalities

and Portuguese subnational entities. Their focus spans economic cooperation (e.g.,

industrial parks, electric vehicles, health technology, energy storage), trade promotion,

cultural exchange, and educational partnerships. While these para-diplomatic efforts

significantly strengthen the people-to-people and economic ties underpinning Portugal-

China relations, political advocacy appears notably sporadic and non-prioritized within

their agendas. As noted by Maria Fernanda Ilhéu (Personal communication, February

2023), both organizations remain predominantly oriented toward economic cooperation

objectives.

Ilhéu emphasizes that the political stance of Portuguese businesspeople or associations

is largely irrelevant to the Chinese when doing business: “For the Chinese, culture isn’t

politics. It’s the way the rules of coexistence are navigated. If you tell me that some

associations might have someone involved in politics behind the scenes, yes. But what

these associations do has nothing political about it: they organize parties, lunches,

dinners, welcome people coming from China to Portugal.” She further clarifies:

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There might be an idea that the Chinese want us to be communists, but to

begin with, they themselves aren’t communists anymore. They respect the

Chinese Communist Party, which is completely different from being

communist. Secondly, they couldn’t care less about what we Portuguese are

politically. I’ve told them many times that I am a member of the PSD [Social

Democratic Party] and have nothing to do with communism. I’ve said this

directly to several people. They react the same way; this information means

nothing to them. What matters is the relationship with me, what we agree

on, and what we are going to do. In their country, they want to belong to the

party to succeed in life. Here, they are very far from promoting communism.

While the LCP and CCPC-PME exemplify the community’s established institutional agency

within Portugal, a significant evolution in its bridging function has emerged in recent

years, driven by political and economic shifts at the macro-level. This evolution centres

on strategically leveraging Macao's unique historical and institutional position and the

accelerated development of the GMDCZH as platforms to facilitate Sino-Portuguese

relations. This new role is fundamentally a result of China’s intensified focus on

integrating Macao into its national development strategy - particularly the Greater Bay

Area initiative and Macao’s positioning as a Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service

Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries - alongside the creation of

the Hengqin zone in 2021 to foster deeper economic integration and diversification.

Consequently, the next section examines how the Chinese community in Portugal, often

working through or alongside its institutions, actively utilizes these specialized platforms

to create novel pathways for trade, investment, and diplomatic engagement between

Portugal and China.

Another entity emerging in Portugal-China economic relations is the Portugal–Hong Kong

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHKCCI). Established in 2019, this private non-

profit organization facilitates bilateral trade, business relations, and cultural-academic

exchanges between Portugal and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (PHKCCI,

n.d.). It has actively promoted high-level meetings between Hong Kong executives and

Portuguese entrepreneurs, exemplified by its July 3, 2025 Lisbon summit co-organized

with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, Guangdong–Hong Kong–

Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office, and Hong Kong SAR government. The event

featured Winnie Ho (Hong Kong Secretary for Housing) and Maisie Chan (Commissioner

for Greater Bay Area Development). As co-founder Bernardo Mendia emphasized, the

summit aimed at “building stronger connections between Portugal and Hong Kong” and

showcasing the “immense potential for international collaboration” in the Greater Bay

Area (Personal communication, July 2025).

Hong Kong has strategically engaged Portugal to advance its economic agenda, including

Innovation Secretary Sun Dong’s March 2025 visit to “explore business opportunities”

through meetings with Portuguese political, business, and technology leaders (Hoje

Macau, 2025a). This follows earlier diplomatic efforts like the June 2024 appeal by Hong

Kong’s Secretary for Financial Services to remove Hong Kong from the EU tax haven list,

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citing compliance with European guidelines (Público, 2024).

Beyond the entities mentioned above, it is important to note other associations founded

by the Chinese community in Portugal that also engage in organizing economic

cooperation events. Examples include the Associação de Comerciantes e Industriais Luso-

Chinesa em Portugal (Luso-Chinese Association of Merchants and Industrialists in

Portugal) and the Associação de Empresas Chinesas em Portugal (Association of Chinese

Companies in Portugal). The Associação de Sociedades Chinesas em Portugal (Association

of Chinese Societies in Portugal) was also founded in 2016 (Forum Macao, 2016).

The year 2025 was marked, moreover, by the organization of a large-scale commercial

event in Lisbon on September 19th, which brought 22 Chinese companies to the

Portuguese capital. The initiative, held at the Lisbon Congress Centre, was organized by

some entities mentioned in this study and aimed to “present Macao’s business

environment and the advantages of the service platform” for commercial cooperation

between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The session also served to analyze

“Portugal’s investment and business environment” (Hoje Macau, 2025b).

Returning to the testimony of Maria Fernanda Ilhéu, the economist noted that as early

as 2023, there were already more associations due to the growth of the Chinese

community in Portugal. She also observed entities linked to sectors less typical in

Portugal-China relations, such as tourism:

Yes [there are more associations], but that’s normal, because there are also

more Chinese people. It’s understood that people should associate for various

reasons. […] This community’s mindset is well-intentioned, and its role is

cultural and economic. I mentioned the lady [Lily Yang, CEO of GREATOPUS

International Travel Service] who organized the president of Dalian’s trip to

Portugal. She is a businesswoman who even goes unnoticed in Portugal, but

runs a large tourism company. She brings Chinese tourists to Portugal from

various parts of the world - Singapore, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, and also

from mainland China. She lives in Portugal (Personal communication,

February 2025).

Leveraging Macao, Hengqin and the Lusophone Space

Macao’s historical function as a Lusophone bridge is formally recognized under China’s

“one country, two systems” framework. As President of CCPC-PME Y Ping Chow

acknowledged: “Macao has done a good job in these relations” (Observador, 2023).

However, Chow critically noted that the outcomes have fallen short of the potential:

“Although Forum Macao was created [...] in my opinion, much more could be done”

(Observador, 2023). This assessment underscores the need for enhanced implementation

of Macao’s diplomatic mandate.

Hengqin complements Macao by providing physical space and policy frameworks for

commercial and technological collaboration. The strategic use of Macao and GMDCZH has

enhanced the diaspora’s role in Sino-Portuguese relations. In 2024, CCPC-PME was

formally designated a “Global Investment Partner” by the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth

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Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (CCPC-PME, 2024e). This role involves promoting Hengqin’s

institutional advantages to attract foreign investment in technology, traditional Chinese

medicine (TCM), and cultural tourism (CCPC-PME, 2024e). Chow positions Hengqin most

crucially as “the gateway for companies from Portuguese-speaking countries” in China, a

role that capitalizes on its integration with the Greater Bay Area market (CCPC-PME,

2024g).

Collaborative Mechanisms

1. Tech innovation: A September 2024 agreement established a Hengqin liaison office

between CCPC-PME and the China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Sci-Tech Exchange

Center, formalized during the Guangzhou-Zhuhai-Macao Innovation Corridor

roundtable (CCPC-PME, 2024f). This facilitates scientific exchange, talent

development, and industrial application across Lusophone markets.

2. Digital talent: CCPC-PME brokered a tripartite agreement (April 2024) between

Macao University of Science and Technology’s Faculty of Humanities and Arts,

Portugal’s Yacooba Labs, and itself to export Portuguese digital talent (Web3,

blockchain, gaming) to Asian markets (CCPC-PME, 2024h).

3. SME integration: CCPC-PME established seven consultancies in Hengqin representing

CPLP nations (e.g., Brazil, Angola) to guide businesses entering China while aiding

Chinese enterprises in Lusophone markets (CCPC-PME, 2024g).

CCPC-PME explicitly connects these hubs: It serves as a “link between Portuguese-

speaking countries through Portugal, to connect with Macao and even with mainland

China” (Silva, 2023). Policy tailwinds, like Hengqin’s 25 measures supporting CPLP

cooperation (e.g., tax incentives, innovation funding), further enable this ecosystem

(CCPC-PME, 2024c). The focus sectors include TCM - where Chow envisions integrated

management platforms linking Portuguese clinics with Hengqin institutions - and tech-

driven exhibitions (CCPC-PME, 2024g).

In sum, Macao provides cultural and diplomatic capital, while Hengqin offers scalable

economic infrastructure. Chinese community institutions like CCPC-PME operationalize

this synergy, transforming geographic advantages into tangible scientific,

entrepreneurial, and investment cooperation between Portugal, China, and the broader

Lusophone world.

Y Ping Chow has spearheaded initiatives to establish trilateral commercial structures. A

key development was the formal creation of the first Portugal–Guinea-Bissau–China

chamber of commerce in Lisbon on April 14, 2023 (Silva, 2023). Chow views Portugal as

a strategic platform for expanding these connections, explicitly stating the ambition to

create similar chambers with other Portuguese-speaking countries: “Beyond Guinea-

Bissau, the goal is to ‘try to create Portugal-Angola-China and so on’” (Silva, 2023). He

emphasized the CCPC-PME’s unique position to leverage existing relationships, noting

that Lusophone African countries “have a good relationship with China” and that the

chamber could “link between Portuguese-speaking countries through Portugal, to connect

with Macao and even with mainland China” (Silva, 2023). While acknowledging Macao’s

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official role in engaging the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), Chow

suggested that diaspora-led initiatives could enhance outcomes beyond current

frameworks like Forum Macao.

The perspective from Lusophone partners underscores the initiative’s value. Carlos

Ramos, chairman of the installation committee for the new China–Portugal–Guinea-

Bissau chamber, described it as “an excellent initiative” for leveraging CPLP connections

to boost private sector engagement (Silva, 2023). He highlighted Guinea-Bissau’s

development needs and export potential (e.g., cashew nuts), stressing that “What we

need to give the country a greater boost is this connection with Chinese and Portuguese

companies, so that we can elevate ourselves and acquire the 'know-how’” (Silva, 2023).

This illustrates how the Chinese community’s institutional efforts address concrete

economic demands while strengthening multilateral ties.

Building on the analysis of institutional para-diplomacy and strategic platform leverage,

the following section demonstrates concrete applications of the Chinese diaspora’s

bridging role within two rapidly evolving and strategically significant sectors: healthcare

and education. Focusing on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and education, it

examines how diaspora institutions, exemplified by the Câmara de Comércio Portugal-

China PME (CCPC-PME), actively facilitate their integration, development, and

modernization within Portugal.

Pioneering New Frontiers: Wellness, Knowledge and Media

CCPC-PME has been instrumental in advancing the integration of traditional Chinese

medicine (TCM) into the Portuguese context through strategic partnerships and

institutional support. A significant milestone was the inauguration of the Plataforma

Hospital Medicina Chinesa (Chinese Medicine Hospital Platform) in Porto on February 15,

2025. This innovative project aims to consolidate TCM within the Portuguese healthcare

system. Crucially, CCPC-PME is a founding member of this platform (Hospital Medicina

Chinesa, 2025). The platform represents a major step in integrating millennia-old health

practices into Portugal, promising lasting community benefits and opening new avenues

for Sino-Portuguese collaboration in health and wellness (Hospital Medicina Chinesa,

2025; Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021). Institutional backing, highlighted

by a message of support from the rector of the Wuhan University of Chinese Medicine,

underscores the transnational academic and professional networks facilitating this

integration (Hospital Medicina Chinesa, 2025).

Building on this foundation, CCPC-PME actively facilitated technological innovation in

TCM. On March 7, 2025, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Porto

between Chi-násio—Hospital Medicina Chinesa (the Porto-based TCM research, diagnosis,

and treatment platform) and China Hengqin Herbizon Health Technology (a company

founded by a research team from the Macao University of Science and Technology). This

signing occurred with the collaboration of CCPC-PME (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-

China PME, 2021), and the agreement establishes a basis for cooperation in introducing

an innovative, artificial intelligence–based technology for TCM into Portugal and Europe.

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The primary objective is to enable the implementation of the Herbizon Traditional Chinese

Medicine Robot, which aims to modernize TCM practices (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-

China PME, 2021). This partnership, fostered with CCPC-PME’s involvement, signifies a

substantial advancement in merging technological innovation with traditional knowledge.

It actively promotes the evolution and modernization of TCM within the European

framework, positioning Portugal as a potential leader in this integration (Câmara de

Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021).

Complementing its role in advancing TCM, the Chinese diaspora in Portugal also plays a

crucial part in fostering deeper bilateral relations through strategic investments in

education and human capital development. A significant manifestation of this

commitment occurred on June 16, 2025, in northern Portugal. Facilitated by local Chinese

community associations and prominently amplified by CCPC-PME, this development

underscores the diaspora’s institutional capacity to mobilize resources and CCPC-PME’s

dual function as both a key communicator and enabler of impactful community initiatives.

In a move described as historic by CCPC-PME (2025b), the Chinese community resident

in northern Portugal formally assumed control of the Fundação Luso Internacional para a

Educação e Cultura na Zona Norte (Luso International Foundation for Education and

Culture in the Northern Zone). This transition involved the election of a new management

group led by local Chinese associations, with Y Ping Chow elected as President of the

board of directors (Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021). The new leadership

immediately announced a major initiative - the launch of an international trilingual school

(Portuguese, English, and Mandarin) to be established in Porto. This educational project

is a direct response to the growing demand for multilingual education within the

community and the wider region. Its core objectives, as reported by CCPC-PME (2021),

are to:

1. Enhance educational quality through a rigorous international curriculum;

2. Strengthen cultural identity, particularly for young Luso-Chinese individuals, by

formally integrating Mandarin and Chinese cultural elements;

3. Promote the integration of Luso-Chinese youth into Portuguese society while

maintaining their heritage.

The project enjoys broad-based support, encompassing local community leaders, the

Confucius Institute at the University of Aveiro, and several Chinese language schools

(Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021). This network of support underscores

the project’s significance and roots in the collaborative efforts between the diaspora

community and established educational and cultural institutions fostering China-Portugal

links. The new leadership of the Foundation has committed itself to reinforcing service to

the community specifically through the pillars of education, culture, and civic participation

(Câmara de Comércio Portugal-China PME, 2021). The establishment of the trilingual

school represents a concrete manifestation of this commitment.

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118

China’s growing investment footprint in Portugal extends beyond traditional sectors into

the media, serving strategic soft power objectives. This engagement manifests through

three key initiatives:

− Community-centric media: The 2019 launch of Ni Hao Portugal—a Lisbon-based

multimedia platform co-founded by Y Ping Chow (President of the Chinese League in

Portugal) and journalist Rogério Bueno de Matos—aimed to dismantle stereotypes

about Portugal’s Chinese community. As Matos stated, “Starting from the idea that

we like what we know and distrust what we don’t know, I saw an editorial opportunity

and social need to introduce the Chinese community to the Portuguese” (Hoje Macau,

2019). The project combined a digital portal with television programming focused on

business, cultural exchange, and diaspora life, seeking to foster mutual

understanding within Portugal before expanding to other Lusophone markets.

− Local media acquisition: Earlier Chinese entry into Portuguese media began with the

2015 acquisition of Iris FM (a regional radio station in Samora Correia) by

entrepreneur Liang Zhan. This purchase, initially met with community concerns about

relocation to Lisbon, evolved into a platform amplifying China-Portugal narratives.

Iris FM now features contents such as 30 representatives of Chinese-language media

from 18 countries going on a Tibet reporting tour, where they witness the remarkable

achievements of the new era on the snow-covered plateau and record vivid practices

of rural revitalization (Iris FM, 2025).

− Institutional platform building: The most significant development emerged in May

2025 when Guangdong’s state-backed Nanfang Media Group (owner of GD Today

and Iris FM) launched the “Greater Bay Area Chinese-Portuguese Media Content

Platform” in Lisbon. This initiative explicitly seeks to “reinforce media cooperation

and facilitate cultural content exchange between China and Portuguese-speaking

countries” while leveraging AI for digital dissemination (Hoje Macau, 2025a).

Nanfang Media Group chairman Liu Qiyu framed it as enhancing “civilizational

dialogue,” which coincides with the 500th anniversary of China-Europe diplomatic

relations and the 20th year of China-Portugal strategic partnership.

These investments reveal an evolution from community representation (Ni Hao Portugal)

to narrative influence (Iris FM) and finally institutional bridge-building (Nanfang’s

platform). Together, they seem to reflect a calibrated approach to shaping Portugal’s

media landscape through cultural diplomacy and strategic content partnerships.

Eyes on the Future: Pathways and Challenges

Economic diversification remains central to the diaspora’s future strategy. Y Ping Chow

outlines ambitious plans to establish startup investment funds and technology

collaboration platforms, emphasizing that “[they] are creating a fund to support tech

ventures and developing new scientific partnerships” (Personal communication, February

2025). The community’s role as mediators remains indispensable. Dinis Ka Chon Chan

highlights Portugal’s strategic importance: “What makes Portugal attractive to China is

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The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

119

the political perspective... Portugal is seen as a friendly country or good mediator”

(Personal communication, February 2025). Maria Fernanda Ilhéu echoes this: “Portugal

is seen as a friendly country or good mediator, and it is interesting for China.”

Despite progress, challenges remain. Language barriers and bureaucratic inefficiencies

hinder integration. As Dinis Chan observes, “Those who already have the Golden Visa

remain in Portugal, but […] they do not speak the language. They are people who need

a lot of security, and making a high-risk investment is not an option for them” (Personal

communication, February 2025). He also notes bureaucratic delays: “The slowness of the

processes creates difficulties for people who want to come to Portugal (…) many lose

confidence in the system” (Personal communication, February 2025). Additionally, Y Ping

Chow expresses concern about generational engagement: “The second generation or

third [generation] no longer participates as much in the work of Chinese associations.

Perhaps because they are too integrated into the Portuguese community” (Personal

communication, February 2025).

These concerns align with findings from Li’s (2019) survey of 43 Chinese immigrants in

Portugal, predominantly from Zhejiang (76.74%), with 48.84% arriving between ages

13–17 (1.5-generation). The study reveals paradoxical identity patterns:

− Limited cultural knowledge: 81.4% reported only “knowing a little” about Chinese

history and traditions, while just 13.95% claimed deep cultural understanding,

leading to the conclusion that “most respondents lack comprehensive knowledge of

Chinese culture” (Li, 2019, p. 34).

− Strong cultural affiliation: Despite knowledge gaps, 72.09% identified “more” with

Chinese culture, and 60.47% primarily socialized with Chinese friends (vs. 32.56%

with multicultural friend groups).

The study attributes this to parental emphasis on cultural education, noting that “the vast

majority of 1.5-generation immigrants still maintain a Chinese cultural identity” while

pursuing integration into Portuguese society (Li, 2019, p. 37). However, their cultural

connection often remains superficial - maintained through contact with relatives in China,

Chinese media consumption, and ethnic social circles - with most retaining “the same

level of knowledge about Chinese culture they had when they immigrated” (Li, 2019, p.

41). This creates identity ambiguities, where some “remain confused about their cultural

identity,” while only a minority fully adopts a Portuguese identity.

Collectively navigating historical transitions, socioeconomic integration challenges, and

evolving geopolitical dynamics, the Chinese community in Portugal demonstrates

remarkable resilience and adaptability. As Maria Fernanda Ilhéu concludes, “The

community has a very positive energy” (Personal communication, February 2025). Their

ability to navigate challenges while fostering economic and cultural ties positions them

as a vital asset in Sino-Portuguese relations.

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The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

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João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

120

Conclusion

This study set out to answer the central research question: How has the Chinese

community in Portugal evolved, and what roles does it play in shaping contemporary

Sino-Portuguese relations, particularly in the post-pandemic era? The findings reveal a

community transformed from historical intermediaries into a sophisticated, multi-layered

transnational para-diplomatic ecosystem. This ecosystem operates through three

interconnected dimensions, validating the proposed conceptual framework of diaspora

agency:

1. Foundation: Individual transnational entrepreneurs remain at the core of this

ecosystem, leveraging guanxi (relational networks) and transnational ties to facilitate

trade, investment, and market integration. Their adaptability, particularly in response

to shifting global economic conditions, underscores their foundational role in Sino-

Portuguese relations.

2. Structure: Institutions such as the Liga dos Chineses em Portugal (LCP), the Câmara

de Comércio Portugal-China PME (CCPC-PME) and the Portugal–Hong Kong Chamber

of Commerce and Industry (PHKCCI) normalize the diaspora’s agency as para-

diplomatic brokers. These organizations mediate between Portuguese and Chinese

stakeholders, creating frameworks for cooperation through trade missions, municipal

agreements, and cultural exchanges.

3. Amplification: The community strategically leverages state-created platforms such as

Macao’s Lusophone bridge and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in

Hengqin. These state-backed platforms amplify the diaspora’s reach, reduce friction

in international collaborations, and foster new pathways for trilateral partnerships,

including initiatives in technology, traditional Chinese medicine, among others.

At the heart of this ecosystem lies diaspora capital, a resource that drives critical flows

across multiple domains:

− Economic: Investments in technology and startups.

− Knowledge: AI-driven innovations in traditional Chinese medicine and other sectors.

− Cultural: Trilingual education initiatives aimed at preserving heritage and fostering

integration.

− Institutional: Subnational agreements and collaborations that strengthen bilateral

ties.

In the post-pandemic era, the Chinese community in Portugal has not only demonstrated

resilience but has adapted to new realities with innovative economic activities,

sophisticated initiatives, and dynamic forms of relationship-building. More than resilient

intermediaries, the Chinese community has emerged as architects of relational

infrastructure—building bridges where formal diplomacy faces headwinds, creating new

spaces where the two countries converge through entrepreneurship rather than

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The Chinese Diaspora in Portugal: A Transnational Paradiplomatic Ecosystem

in Sino-Portuguese Relations

João Simões, Andreia Sofia da Silva

121

diplomatic channels, and proving that diaspora capital can transform geographic

proximity into geopolitical agency. In an era of strategic competition, this self-reinforcing

ecosystem offers a template for how transnational communities sustain cooperation

beneath - and beyond - the state.

This same dynamism and adaptability to new social and economic realities are confirmed

by economist Maria Fernanda Ilhéu (Personal communication, February 2023), who

observed: “The Chinese community, in general, has a positive characteristic: the speed

with which it adjusts to the surrounding environment. If the rules of the game change,

they don’t dwell on rules that no longer exist; they look at what they can do with them.”

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