With the support of the Education Fund of the Government of the Macau Special Administrative Region for the 2024/2025 Academic Year Cooperation and Development Project for Higher Education Institutions, the Faculty of Business held the second seminar of the "Sustainable Development of the Financial Leasing Industry between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries Under One Country, Two Systems - A Series of Training and Exchange Activities" on February 17, 2025, at the Taipa Campus. The event aimed to foster a comprehensive understanding of each other's business environments, financial and accounting laws, and cultural differences, thereby establishing and promoting commercial cooperation and exploring pathways for sustainable Sino-Portuguese trade.

Dr. Joseph Lau, Head of Student Affairs and Senior Lecturer at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Doctor of Education, was invited to deliver a keynote speech titled "How Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Affects Aircraft Leasing."

Dr. Joseph Lau provided a detailed introduction to the impact of ESG on aircraft leasing. He pointed out the growing importance of the aviation industry in the global economy and emphasized the challenges and opportunities the aviation industry faces in addressing climate change and environmental responsibilities.

Additionally, Dr. Lau analyzed the market size and recovery trends of the aviation industry, delving into the performance of air cargo during the pandemic, highlighting that air cargo became the "oxygen supply" for airlines during the crisis, and predicting future development potential.

When discussing the importance of ESG, Dr. Lau mentioned how industry participants are actively taking measures, including investing in sustainable aviation fuels, improving aircraft efficiency, and exploring innovative solutions such as electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. He also emphasized the core of social impact, introducing how to improve labor practices, passenger safety, and community engagement to promote the sustainable development of the entire aviation industry.

The seminar attracted many Faculty of Business students, who gained a deeper understanding of the future of the Sino-Portuguese leasing industry and were filled with anticipation for the sustainable development of the aviation industry.

The Faculty of Business looks forward to hosting more similar exchange activities in the future to deepen cooperation and understanding between China and Portugal and promote the practice of sustainable development.