MACAO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The cultural forum between China and Portuguese-speaking countries kicked off in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Saturday under the theme of cultural diversity.

Delegates and specialists from China and eight Portuguese-speaking countries, including Portugal and Brazil, attended the forum.

Alexis Tam Chon Weng, secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR government, said at the opening ceremony that the forum served as a platform for enhancing cultural exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as promoting cooperation in trade, tourism, and investment.

The forum is also one of the highlights of the first edition of the "Encounter in Macao - Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking countries."

Besides the forum, exhibitions, seminars and workshops were also held during the festival.

It is hoped to facilitate cultural cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, with Macao as a center, and to motivate public interest in treasuring and protecting the unique and diversified cultural resources of Macao, the organizers said.