DILI, 27 June 2025 (TATOLI) — Joseph de Santa Maria, promoter of the 4th Conference of the Asian Portuguese Communities said Timor-Leste is well-positioned to serve as a strategic center for Lusophone communities across Asia.
Speaking at the event held at the Dili Convention Center from 27–29 June, Santa described the conference as a milestone in strengthening the unity of Portuguese-descendant communities in the region.
He thanked Timor-Leste for hosting the conference and emphasized the country’s potential to lead a new era of cultural and linguistic connection among Lusophone communities in Asia.
“Historically, Macau was regarded by the Portuguese as their central hub in Asia,” he explained. “But today, Timor-Leste has all the conditions to become a bridge between Asia and other Portuguese-speaking countries.”
He also highlighted the historical and cultural value of the Portuguese community in Malacca, Malaysia, where a Creole language with 90% Portuguese vocabulary continues to be spoken — a testament to centuries of cultural preservation. He cited the annual São Pedro Festival in Malacca, which includes a Catholic Mass and a traditional blessing of fishing boats, as one of the enduring legacies of Portuguese influence.
“We are often considered more Portuguese than Portugal itself because we’ve maintained the language and traditions passed down by our ancestors for more than 500 years,” de Santa Maria said.
He also believes that the Portuguese cultural presence in Asia could create new economic opportunities through greater cooperation between ASEAN and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), particularly as Timor-Leste prepares to become a full ASEAN member in October.
“Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN could form a strategic link between ASEAN and the CPLP, opening the door to the creation of a large-scale economic and cultural bloc,” he said, emphasizing the potential for increased trade, investment, and educational exchange.
De Santa Maria also thanked Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão for playing a key role in the initiative’s early development: “The Prime Minister’s support during the first conference in 2016 was crucial. It was his idea for Timor-Leste to host the event, and now that vision has been realized.”
The 4th Conference of the Asian Portuguese Communities bought together delegates from Portugal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and China.
Journalist: Jesuína Xavier
Editor: Isaura Lemos de Deu
Translation: Camilio de Sousa
