Shenzhen-Macao Cooperation Conference 2015 is held in Shenzhen.
The development of “Dawan area” and the strengthening of cooperation on tourism are two major initiatives in the development of collaboration between Macao and Shenzhen in the coming year, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said today. This will further help the two cities to integrate their economies under the path set out in the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan and the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (also known as the “Belt and Road” initiative), Mr Leong said. The Secretary was speaking to reporters this afternoon in Shenzhen following the Shenzhen-Macao Cooperation Conference 2015. The annual Conference for officials from the two cities was chaired by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, and the Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Xu Qin. Before the press briefing, Mr Chui and Mr Xu witnessed the signing of a memorandum on promoting development of “Dawan area” – a logistics hub in coastal areas covering Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao – and the signing of a bilateral memorandum on tourism. The memorandum on “Dawan area” was signed by Mr Leong and the Vice Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Ai Xuefeng. The memorandum on tourism was signed by a representative of Macau Government Tourist Office and a representative of Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sport and Tourism. Highlights of the planned collaboration on tourism include: the strengthening of communication regarding a taskforce on the subject; and promoting multi-destination travel covering Hong Kong, Macao and Shenzhen, said Mr Leong. Other milestones in the next phase of bilateral cooperation include: advancing regional cooperation via policies favouring the Qianhai-Shekou Area in Shenzhen, a part of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ); reinforcing cultural exchanges to boost other cooperation opportunities in related areas; and creating a mechanism for boosting exchanges in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry, in education, and in inspection and quarantine procedures. Mr Leong said the FTZ in the Qianhai-Shekou Area in Shenzhen is a major opportunity for bilateral cooperation about and between young entrepreneurs. He said his team was analysing the measures that would be needed in order to support Macao businesses in extending their activities to the three FTZs in Guangdong – Qianhai-Shekou, Hengqin, and Nansha – through Macao’s Young Entrepreneurs Aid Scheme. Taking advantage of Macao’s bridging role between the Portuguese-speaking countries and the mainland, the two neighbouring cities – Macao and Shenzhen – would establish closer ties on trade, finance, culture and creative industries, thus consolidating achievements made over the past years, said Mr Leong. Mr Xu also attended the press briefing. He said Shenzhen welcomed more Macao businesses – in fields such as finance, logistics, legal services, accounting, and architect services – to set up operations in Qianhai, a move that would further liberalise trade in services between Guangdong and Macao. The Shenzhen Government would also continue to optimise platforms and mechanisms for cooperation on education, culture, tourism, environmental protection, and inspection and quarantine procedures, added Mr Xu. Later in the evening, the Chief Executive had a meeting with the Secretary of Shenzhen CPC Municipal Committee, Mr Ma Xingrui. Mr Chui told Mr Ma that the two memoranda signed today would bring Macao-Shenzhen cooperation to a new, higher level. Macao would make use of its special advantages in the fields of tourism and culture in order to help create fresh opportunities for the country as a whole, he added. The Chief Executive said the Government attached great importance in helping young entrepreneurs to set up businesses, noting that the successful experience of Shenzhen would help Macao enhance its own policies in support of economic development opportunities for young people. Macao officials attending the meetings in Shenzhen included the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the President of the Administrative Council of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Mr Vong Iao Lek; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; and the Consultant of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Kou Chin Hung. Officials representing the Shenzhen Government in today’s events included: Member of the Standing Committee of Shenzhen CPC Municipal Committee and Director of the Administrative Committee of Qianhai-Shekou FTZ, Mr Tian Fu; the Secretary General of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Mr Li Tingzhong; and the Director-General of Qianhai Management Authority, Mr Du Peng. The Shenzhen-Macao Cooperation Conference was established in 2006 as a platform for annual meetings between officials from Macao and Shenzhen. It aims to push for mutual development in areas such as culture and creative industries, finance, traditional Chinese medicine, tourism, education and trade liberalisation under the framework of the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).