The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, poses for a photograph with the visiting Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr John Lee Ka-chiu, during a meeting at the Government Headquarters in Macao.
The two Special Administrative Regions (SARs) have agreed that cooperation between Hong Kong and Macao will usher a brighter future, as the haze of the pandemic dissipates.
The two SARs should, on the basis of making good use of the advantages of the “One country, two systems” principle, give full play to their respective strengths, and complement each other for reciprocal and coordinated development, in order to further integrate into the country’s overall development.
The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, today met at Macao’s Government Headquarters with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr John Lee Ka-chiu.
Mr Ho noted it was their second meeting in recent days, the first being last week in Hong Kong. Mr Ho said today’s meeting further illustrated the close ties of the two SARs, which have frequent high-level exchanges. Such steps would consistently inject impetus for further cooperation, he stated.
Macao was confident of its economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the support from the Central Government, Hong Kong, and mainland provinces and cities, added Mr Ho.
Since implementation from 8 January of optimised measures to encourage exchanges between the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, the two SARs could make further effort in various fields, including science and technology innovation, finance, traditional Chinese medicine, tourism, culture and sports, and exhibitions and commerce.
Macao was pressing ahead with a “1+4” approach to speed up diversification of the local economy, said Mr Ho. Macao looked forward to extending cooperation with Hong Kong, including in the fields of “big health”, modern financial services, high and new technology, convention and exhibition, sports, and the commercial and trade sectors, said Mr Ho.
Before today’s meeting at Macao’s Government Headquarters, the Hong Kong delegation led by Mr Lee visited conference and exhibition facilities at an integrated tourism and leisure enterprise. Those facilities were an example of Macao’s commitment to strengthen non-gaming offerings. Macao now had a greater number of high-quality exhibition and performance venues than previously, which enhanced opportunities for closer cooperation between Hong Kong and other neighbouring cities, and for the joint expansion of “multi-destination” travel for cultural- and exhibition-related activities. Such an approach would help attract more travellers from overseas to visit Hong Kong and Macao, and the rest of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, added Mr Ho.
Mr Ho additionally talked about the development of the logistics sector, noting a great number of goods was being supplied to Macao via Hong Kong. He hoped to gain further support from Hong Kong for enhancing the use of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to speed up transportation and logistics processes, with a view to strengthening cooperation and developing logistics activity between the two places.
In response to enquiries by Mr Lee, Mr Ho gave an in-depth briefing on the development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and the work and progress since the inauguration of the Cooperation Zone on 17 September 2021. Hong Kong and Macao could strengthen exchanges regarding development of the Cooperation Zone, said Mr Ho. The Cooperation Zone would welcome all investment from Hong Kong, and the MSAR Government would provide policy support accordingly.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Lee said that with full resumption of boundary-crossing activity between Hong Kong and Macao, now was the most opportune time to deepen cooperation between the two SARs and promote “multi-destination” travel in relation to cultural events, sports, conference and exhibition within the Greater Bay Area. It would in turn enhance the two SARs’ contribution to develop the Greater Bay Area as an international first-class bay area, as outlined in the latter’s cultural and tourism development plan.
Land-transport journey times between Hong Kong, Macao, and the west bank of the Pearl River has been shortened following the launching of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, stated Mr Lee. Hong Kong had always strongly supported the cross-boundary transportation arrangements and measures relating to the bridge. The infrastructure not only met the transportation needs of the population and visitors, but also enabled the maximisation of benefits in terms of economic activity and improved transport efficiency, while promoting trade and economic development and cultural exchanges among the three places.
Hong Kong and Macao, as SARs of the country, should make better use of unique advantages arising from the “One country, two systems” principle. This was in order to: promote stronger bilateral ties; create greater momentum for the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area; and to work together to make greater contributions to the prosperity and development of the country.
In addition, Mr Lee noted he had seen construction work at New Urban Area A, during his visit, and was interested to learn more about Macao’s housing policy. Mr Ho gave an introduction on the MSAR Government’s five-rung housing policy, and work respectively on urban renewal, and the urban development master plan. The two officials exchanged views regarding work on related matters.
Other Macao officials attending the meeting were: the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Mr Cheong Weng Chon; the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Lei Wai Nong; the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms Ao Ieong U; the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário; and the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Hoi Lai Fong.
Also present were the HKSAR’s: Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip Man-kuen.
