Officials taking part in the third edition of the “Mayors’ Visiting Program” were today offered fresh insights regarding the latest developments in Macao in relation to tourism, cultural affairs and economic and trade matters.
The officials had opportunities to arrive at a better understanding of these topics via exchange sessions with the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng; and via meetings with, respectively, representatives of the Cultural Affairs Bureau; the Macao Government Tourism Office; and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute.
The third edition of the “Mayors’ Visiting Program” involved civic leaders from six neighbouring countries – i.e. Vietnam, Kazakhstan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia – and from five cities on the mainland. The Program is co-organised by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR.
During this morning’s meeting between the Program participants and the Macao Government Tourism Office, the Director, Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, gave a presentation on Macao’s strategic positioning on tourism, and Macao’s tourism development prospects – the outlook for international and regional cooperation in this regard – and the strategy of transforming Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure (known as the “Centre” policy).
As a member of the China Maritime Silk Road Tourism Promotion Alliance – a group formed in China in May – Macao had stepped up efforts in promoting further integration of its tourism resources with those of mainland cities, so as to build a tourism brand in all the places covered by such cooperation, and in order to facilitate economic development for all.
In the meeting between the Program participants and the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the President, Mr Leung Hio Meng, stated the Government prioritised its policy of heritage conservation and maintenance of Macao’s distinctive cultural traditions. The Bureau planned to consolidate cultural policy and resources, to ensure – in the medium- to long-term – construction of culturally-linked resources and facilities, Mr Leong added.
Following the two meetings, officials of the third edition of the “Mayors’ Visiting Program” met with Secretary Tam to exchange views on how to bolster cooperation in tourism, cultural affairs and education.
Mr Tam stated the Program sought to cover a broad range of senior officials, with a variety of backgrounds and expertise. The latest edition offered the Government an opportunity to hear various suggestions on how to advance international and regional cooperation, he added.
In the meeting with the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, the acting President of the Administrative Committee, Ms Irene V. K. Lau, talked about Macao’s investment environment and the Government’s efforts to support business in Macao.
With the full support of the Central Government, Macao was forging ahead with its development into a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperationservice platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies), so as to advance its efforts in economic diversification.
Ms Lau called for closer cooperation between Macao and countries and places participating in the third edition of the “Mayors’ Visiting Program”, in order for all involved to grasp opportunities arising from the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative).
Officials attending the third edition of the “Mayors’ Visiting Program” will conclude their visit to Macao tomorrow.
Those officials attending today’s events included: the Akim (Governor) of the South Kazakhstan Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr Zhanseit Tuimebayev; the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure of the Republic of Maldives, Mr Mohamed Muizzu; the Chairman of the People’s Committee of Nghe An Province of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr Nguyen Xuan Duong; the Chairman of Sibu Municipal Council of Sarawak State of Malaysia, Mr Tiong Thai King; the Mayor Assistant of Cirebon city of West Java Province of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr Agus Mulyadi; the Mayor of Sanya Prefecture, Mr Wu Yanjun; the Mayor of Yangzhou Prefecture, Mr Zhang Aijun; Vice Mayor of Hangzhou Prefecture, Ms Chen Hongying; Assistant Mayor of Chengdu Prefecture, Mr Han Chunlin; and the Director of Cultural Affairs Department of Wuhan, Mr He Wei; and the Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Zhuhai, Mr Zhang Meisheng.