The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today met the the Vice President of Kuomintang, Mr Tseng Yung-chuan, who is also the President of the Friends of HongKong & Macau Association, and they exchanged views on enhancing the exchanges and co-operation on trade, tourism, education and culture between Macao and Taiwan. During the meeting, Mr Chui told Mr Tseng that the Policy Address delivered last month had pointed out that the Government would include Taiwan-related matters into its regular work areas and accelerate the studies on establishing a formal communication mechanism between Macao and Taiwan. He said that, based on the fabourable foundation of Cross-Strait exchanges, the Government would continue to optimise the co-operation between Macao and Taiwan on different aspects. To better promote Macao to the compatriots in Taiwan, Mr Chui said the Government had plans for a visit to Taiwan in the second half of the year and hold promotional activities, Macao Week, in Taiwan with the business sectors. The Government would encourage various associations to visit Taiwan and also welcome Taiwan organisations to visit Macao and learn more about the implementation of the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ in Macao, he said. He said he anticipated the strengthening of Macao-Taiwan co-operation in education, especially in the recognition of academic qualification. He also said he hoped the formal communication mechanism, which was under study now, could serve Macao residence and students in Taiwan in the future. The mechanism would definitely be positive for the continuous development of Macao-Taiwan relations and Cross-Strait relations. Mr Chui said he shared the same views of Mr Tseng on enhancing Macao-Taiwan relations, made an important speech at a Macao-Taiwan forum this morning. Tseng had said there were currently more than 20,000 Macao people living in Taiwan, and many Macao students furthered their education there. People had good impressions of in Macao residents in Taiwan, which exemplified the close relations between Macao and Taiwan. On the establishment of a formal communication mechanism, Mr Tseng said that it was in line with public opinions in both Macao and Taiwan, so it would certainly be supported from all sides concerned. Mr Chui and Mr Tseng reviewed on the contributions of Macao in the creation of “Macao mode” in the Cross-Strait charter flights during Chinese New Year, and agreed that Macao would continue to play an important and active role in the promotion of Cross-Strait relations. The participants of the meeting included the Director of Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Macao, Mr Lo Muh-Kuen, the Chief-of-Office of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, and the Secretary-General of the Executive Council, Ms O Lam.
