In July 2026, Samuel Liao joined the Service Centre for Economy and Trade between China and Portuguese/Spanish-speaking Countries (CECPS) in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, working in the legal department.
Although Samuel's recent job is similar to his previous role at the law firm, his perspective has shifted because the CECPS is a platform that supports Chinese companies going global. Samuel now plays the role of a bridge-builder, helping companies navigate and expand into Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking markets by leveraging the resources of Hengqin and Macao.
Rooted in both China and Brazil
Samuel was born in Brazil and grew up in a family deeply involved in trading with China. His father ran a small grocery store and traveled to Yiwu, China, to source goods for the Brazilian market. He was hardworking and possessed a strong business acumen, but had limited knowledge of the local institutional system, which often made it difficult for him to protect his rights when disputes arose.
"Maybe that was when I first thought about protecting my family," Samuel said. "There is no better profession for that than law." He completed his bachelor's degree in law at Peking University, then earned a master's degree in law in the United States, and received a PhD degree in law from Tsinghua University.
Years of working across different legal systems and business environments taught him that language is only the most obvious barrier in cross-border cooperation. The deeper challenge lies in how different markets understand risks, contracts, and business practices.
Samuel's unique background — Brazilian roots, Chinese education, and legal training across different countries — positions him perfectly to help companies navigate those differences.
Helping companies form global partnerships
Samuel has seen firsthand that entering a foreign market is only half the battle. The harder part is staying there.
China and Brazil have been strengthening economic and trade cooperation. In 2025, bilateral trade reached 187.987 billion USD, with Chinese investment expanding into energy, minerals, agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing. But for the companies making those investments, success depends on more than signing deals.
Practices that are routine in China can carry hidden risks abroad. Chinese companies often rely on company seals to confirm contracts, while some overseas markets place greater emphasis on signatures. Without a clear understanding of local rules, even a straightforward contract can become a liability.
Samuel once observed the localization process of a Shenzhen-based company in Brazil. After the Chinese team completed the initial setup, it gradually handed management over to a Brazilian team in less than six months, effectively letting "Brazilians to manage Brazilians" and reducing internal friction. It was a case study in what successful cross-border expansion looks like.
In his view, going global requires more than talents with language skills. It demands cross-cultural professionals who understand different legal systems, business cultures, and decision-making practices. That is exactly the kind of expertise Samuel brings to the table as a bridge-builder between China and Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking markets.
Bringing pieces together
To Samuel, Hengqin is an "interface", connecting the vast mainland market on one side with Macao's international links on the other. The industrial base of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the benefits of institutional innovation in Hengqin converge here. But what struck him most after arriving was something else: the number of Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking professionals already present.
"There were more of them than I expected," he said. The real challenge, he realized, was not a lack of talent. It was that these scattered individuals and institutions had not yet been connected into a service chain capable of solving real problems for companies.
That chain is now taking shape. In 2026, Hengqin introduced new measures to support the development of its legal services industry, with services related to Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries explicitly included. Eligible providers can receive annual subsidies of up to 500,000 RMB, with up to 50,000 RMB per case. As of September 2026, CECPS, the platform Samuel works for, had connected with more than 1,000 companies and institutions, serving over 4,000 people and building a coordinated service network spanning China and overseas.
For Samuel, this is what makes Hengqin special. "A hidden paradise," he said, "is a place where everyone can find what they are looking for." In Hengqin, he sees people moving at their own pace, whether they are companies seeking market entry, professionals looking for cross-border opportunities, or someone like him, building bridges between worlds.
Source | Nanfang News Network