Based on the good foundation laid in the past, the Macao and Xinjiang governments would enhance their co-operation in education, culture, tourism and trade. This was discussed when the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met with the Secretary of CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Mr Zhang Chunxian, and the Chairman of Xinjiang Uygur Automonous Region, Mr Nur Bekri, in Xinjiang, where he attended the opening ceremony of the first China-Eurasia Expo today. During the meeting after the opening ceremony, Mr Zhang greeted the Macao delegation warmly, saying that over the past 11 years Xinjiang and Macao had built a good co-operative relationship using education and culture as the starting points. He said tourism would be the focal point of the next co-operative stage. He also suggested that Macao would act as a trading platform, attracting funds from all over the world to invest in the developing market of Xinjiang. Moreover, Macao could also make use of its links with the European Union to further promote exchanges and co-operation between Xinjiang and European countries. Mr Chui expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Zhang's hospitality in receiving the delegation. He said the success of the first China-Eurasia Expo has given him much encouragement, and that the Macao Government would actively participate in the activities of the second Expo. He told Mr Zhang that the Macao Government would study his suggestions in detail, and invited Mr Zhang to visit Macao. After the meeting, Mr Chui attended the welcome banquet hosted by Mr Nur Bekri. Mr Chui led an official delegation to the China-Eurasia Expo where he delivered a keynote speech in the morning. Afterwards he toured the Expo and visited the Macao Pavilion. He is scheduled to return to Macao tomorrow.
