Closer Beijing-Macao ties bring developments of mutual benefit

Further initiatives for complementary cooperation between Beijing and Macao were launched today, with the aim of deepening and broadening exchanges and creating fresh opportunities for mutual beneficial development. The Beijing municipal government and the SAR Government jointly launched this afternoon in Macao the Beijing-Macao Cooperation Partnership 2016, initiating a series of cooperation initiatives covering the economy and trade, youth exchanges, cultural affairs, and education. Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said further ties with Beijing would allow Macao to learn from Beijing’s successes, as a step to boosting Macao’s efforts in achieving adequate economic diversification. The Chief Executive and the Mayor of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Mr Wang Anshun, witnessed the signing of a total of six agreements during the ceremony. They are: - the memorandum of understanding on friendly cooperation between the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education and the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region; - the agreement between the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security and the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region, regarding exchanges and learning activities for civil servants from the two places; - the agreement of strategic cooperation between the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute; - the memorandum of cooperation between the Administrative Committee of Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone and the Tertiary Education Services Office of the Macao Special Administrative Region, regarding development of science and technology between enterprises in the Demonstration Zone and Macao’s higher education institutions; - the letter of intent between the Bureau of Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Coordination and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region, regarding Macao’s participation in the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019; and - the letter of intent between the international department of the organising committee for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the Sports Bureau of the Macao Special Administration Region, regarding the promotion of the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Guests officiating at today’s ceremony included: the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr Ho Hau Wah; the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Mr Yao Jian; and the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Mr Pan Yundong. Macao officials at the event included: the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; and the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam. Officials from Beijing present in the ceremony included: the Secretary-General of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, Mr Li Wei; the Secretary-General of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality and Head of the Research Department, Mr Liu Zhanxing; and the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, Mr Zhao Huimin.