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The purpose of this paper is to review the present status and relationship of Macau to Brazil and to a provide the historical context for that relationship.

This paper takes the approach of interviews, an extensive review of Portuguese and English language periodicals of Macau, Brazil, USA extending back to 1950s, and a review of the key secondary literature.

Efforts to promote a relationship between Macau and Brazil since 1961 have been laudable, but have not resulted in either a meaningful economic relationship or systematic cultural links.

Trade-wise Hong Kong is much better positioned to interface with Brazil than Macau. Brazil established strategic trade and diplomatic relations with China 25 years prior to Macau’s return to China in 1999 and without any intermediation by the city.

A strategic plan is needed to develop Macau’s links to Brazil based upon that country’s vast array of cultural strengths, which include sports, music, dance, religion, language, education, cuisine, environment resources, technology and the presence of a significant Macanese Diaspora.

There is a shortage of analysis on the status of the relationship of Brazil to China, Macau and the Lusophone world.

For over a 100 years, Macau’s Pataca has been tied to Macau’s identity, its independent financial existence and its links to the Lusophone world. Its role as a supporter of the Macau identity relies upon the strength and capabilities of its financial institutions, the Macau Monetary Authority and banking institutions that issue its currency (Banco Nacional Ultramarino and Bank of China). The paper aims to discuss the above issue.

The author uses statistics and data from the Macau Monetary Authority.

There are three possible scenarios that could emerge: first, retired in favor of the RMB, the HK dollar; second, maintained with its use expanding as Macau’s revenues and investment funds grow, or third, become a force for stronger economic cohesion and identity among the Lusophone nations.

Which of these scenarios will offer Macau the highest possibility of maintaining its international network of relationships and representation, diversifying its economy into new growth markets and playing a unique role in China’s twenty-first century destiny?

This paper studies a rarely discussed topic and focuses on a core component of Macau’s existence.