An intercultural sporting event as part of soft power strategy: Macao’s 1st Lusophony Games

Abstract

The instrumental impact of sport has experienced an increasing complexity, especially in its relations between society and culture, economy, and politics. The study focused on the Macao Lusophony Games, an intercultural sports event that aims to strengthen ties with Portuguese-speaking countries, or Lusophony. Based on a literature review in interrelated fields such as cultural heritage, language, legacy effects, and soft power, a qualitative approach was undertaken, informed by empirical material from various textual sources. The evidence shows that the Games created ties based on linguistic and cultural reciprocity, expressed as a soft power resource as well as Macao’s realignment within the Lusophone world, as an international political strategy that benefits China’s economic development.