The Macao delegation attends parallel sessions of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
The Government will closely study the latest major policies and proposals laid down at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, so as to advance Macao’s strategies and deployment of resources for participation in the country’s “Belt and Road” initiative.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, was invited to lead a Macao delegation to Beijing for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The event concluded today, and the Macao delegation returned to the city in the afternoon.
The delegation’s attendance at the two-day Forum allowed it to gain fresh insight regarding the new model of ‘win-win’ cooperation arising from the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (collectively known as the “Belt and Road” initiative). Members of the delegation also gained new personal experience regarding the country’s vision for building a path leading to peace, prosperity, openness, innovation and connection with other civilisations.
Mr Chui and the other members of the Macao delegation paid close attention to the keynote speech delivered by President Xi Jinping at the Forum’s opening ceremony on Saturday (14 May). Government officials at various levels will additionally carefully study the text of the speech – which outlined the Silk Road spirit – as well as the text of other relevant speeches. After the opening ceremony, the Chief Executive attended a high-level conference of the Forum.
On Sunday afternoon, Mr Chui attended a session of the Forum titled “Promote Unimpeded Trade” – one of six parallel sessions that were held. Other members of the Macao delegation respectively attended other parallel sessions, namely: “Promote Financial Integration”; “Enhance People-to-People Bonds”; “Strengthen Policy Coordination and Strategic Synergy”; and “Expedite Facility Connectivity”.
On Sunday evening, Mr Chui and the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, attended a welcome banquet of the Forum held at the Great Hall of the People, where President Xi delivered a speech.
Macao’s invitation to attend the Forum signified the Central Government’s support for the city’s efforts in making further contributions to the “Belt and Road” initiative, Mr Chui had said on Saturday before his departure for Beijing that day.
Mr Chui had stated at that time that the Government would spare no effort in optimising Macao’s top-level policy work so as to integrate further with the country’s development effort regarding the “Belt and Road” initiative. He said the Government had been working diligently to link the “Belt and Road” initiative with the city’s Five-Year Development Plan, and with the Central Government’s supportive policies for Macao, as well as with the proposal for a city cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
To boost community participation in the “Belt and Road” initiative, Mr Chui said the Government would provide the necessary framework to encourage people from across the community – in particular professionals, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and young people – to take part the national development effort.
