The Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, delivers a speech at the launch ceremony, speaks at the launch ceremony of the measure enabling Macao-registered motor vehicles to enter Hengqin.
The scheme to enable Macao-registered motor vehicles to enter Hengqin Island in Zhuhai Prefecture was a significant initiative, and would encourage people across different sectors in Macao to participate further in regional cooperation. Speaking today at the launch ceremony in Hengqin for the vehicle scheme, the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, said its implementation would further boost cooperation projects between Guangdong and Macao that involved locating in Hengqin. The scheme – whereby qualified Macao-registered motor vehicles can enter Hengqin – would be implemented in a phased manner in order to ensure its efficiency, said Mr Wong. The authorities have received dozens of applications under the scheme: the first nine vehicles permitted to enter Hengqin made the journey today. Mr Wong said the more frequent exchanges and complementary economic cooperation between Macao and Hengqin that would be generated by the initiative would enhance social wellbeing in the two places and advance regional cooperation. The vehicle scheme would serve as an example for greater complementary and coordinated cooperation, and widen the scope of such ties between Macao and its network of neighbouring cities, he added. The initiative illustrated the strong support for Macao’s development from ministries and departments of the Central Government and of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, said Mr Wong. He expressed sincere gratitude to those authorities involved over the years in the discussions on the vehicle scheme. He noted it had been officially launched today to mark the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region. In December 2014, the Central Government’s initiative to establish the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone was announced. It included positioning the Hengqin Area as a resource for regional cooperation and to assist – via the Framework Agreement on Cooperation Between Guangdong and Macao – in the process of achieving Macao’s adequate economic diversification. Macao is itself positioned as a world centre of tourism and leisure. The SAR Government’s first-ever Five-Year Development Plan outlined a vision whereby Macao would take greater roles in national development, strengthen its contribution to regional cooperation, and create more favourable conditions for engagement between mainland markets and international markets. Other officials attending today’s ceremony in Hengqin included: the Commissioner General of the Unitary Police Service, Mr Ma Io Kun; the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Iao Lek; the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Security, Ms Cheong Ioc Ieng; the Commissioner of the Public Security Police Force, Mr Leong Man Cheong; and the Director of the Transport Bureau, Mr Lam Hin San. Also present at the ceremony were: the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Yao Jian; the Deputy Secretary-General of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhong Xuanhui; the Secretary of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee, Mr Guo Yuanqiang; the Zhuhai Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Mr Guo Yuanjiang; and the Mayor of Zhuhai, Mr Zheng Renhao.
