The Regional Under Secretary for External Relations stressed in China the importance of "acknowledging the role played by Diaspora and migration in the progress and development of contemporary societies." The government official pointed out the example of the Azores, where "the Government and associations work in close proximity to Azorean emigrant societies, but also with immigrants from more than 70 different nationalities" who are currently residing in the archipelago.

"Many defend that the integration into a new society should represent a departure from roots, particularly due to the integration in new societies. However, the truth is that emigrant communities can fully integrate into a new culture and a new country, while not only maintaining their identity but also very important ties to the communities of origin, which has been demonstrated by Azorean communities over time," defended Rodrigo Oliveira. The government official spoke Sunday at a meeting of the International Steering Committee of the Metropolis organisation that took place in the city of Shenzhen.

Rodrigo Oliveira presented the numerous actions and projects developed by the Azorean Government over the years in the areas of emigration, immigration and communities, either through or with the support of the Regional Directorate for Communities. In this regard, the government official highlighted "the principle of partnership and close proximity with several organisation and associations in the Region and abroad." The meeting was attended by representatives of Australia, Austria, Canada, China, South Korea, United States, Netherlands, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Switzerland and Turkey.

The Regional Under Secretary pointed out the activities developed by the Houses of the Azores and the innovative character of their World Council, stressing that the Region", under the action of its self-government bodies, has sought to maintain and strengthen its communication and cultural ties between the Azores and the Diaspora over four decades of Autonomy. The Region is now exploring new contributions provided by immigrant communities to the development of the Azores of today."

"Due to the emotional ties of the Azorean Diaspora communities in Brazil, Uruguay, United States of America, including the State of Hawaii, Bermuda and Canada, we take the responsibility to ensure that this relation is also a catalyst to other areas, namely economic, tourist, and political areas, among others, "he said.

"If our relations were initially based on the preservation and dissemination of Azorean culture in the world, the fact is that we realised - Government and Diaspora communities - it would be possible to expand this relation to areas of common interest and adapt them to the new challenges of today's world," said Rodrigo Oliveira.

In his speech, the government official stressed that the Azores have always been "both a starting and ending point." The history of the archipelago was marked by successive emigration waves from the very beginning and over time, until the late 20th century.

However, the Azores are nowadays "a region that hosts a significant multicultural and intercultural group of significant relevance and growing importance. This is the result of the hospitality of the Azorean society and the recognition of the contribution provided by immigrants to the development of the Azores."
 
The International Steering Committee (ISC) is the permanent coordination body of the Metropolis organisation, an international research network aimed at the development of public policies in the areas of migration, diversity and integration of immigrant communities. Currently, it comprises organisations from more than twenty countries in Europe, America, Asia and Oceania.

In the context of his participation in these events, Rodrigo Oliveira also participated in the Roundtable on International Migration, organised by the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel. It addressed the dynamics of current mobility and its relation with the economic development rates in different parts of the globe.