The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, attends a question-and-answer session at the Legislative Assembly.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said the Government has readied resources in order for the community to take part in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The Government looked forward to seeing the incremental expansion of opportunities for Macao people, as outlined in a development plan to be issued by the State Council.
Mr Chui made the remarks this afternoon during a plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly, where he took questions raised by Assembly members concerning Government policy and social issues.
Macao had made preparations to enable an enhanced degree of participation in the Greater Bay Area project from among local young people, he said. Such preparations had been made via experience gained from the Guangdong-Macao Comprehensive Cooperation Demonstration Zone located in Zhongshan; and from Macao’s involvement in Daguang Bay Economic Zone in Jiangmen.
During today’s question-and-answer session, Mr Chui explained in detail the principles of cooperation outlined in the Framework Agreement on Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation in the Development of the Bay Area.
The seven principles for cooperation were:
1) To promote infrastructure connectivity, namely by strengthening transport links between the mainland and Macao;
2) To enhance the level of market integration via implementation of the Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and its Supplements; enhancing the efficiency of immigration and customs clearance; and enhancing the flow of people and goods; increasing investments between mainland and Macao enterprises;
3) To build a global technology and innovation hub, via coordinating the use of world-class technology and innovation; and improving the systems and mechanisms for cooperation in matters of innovation;
4) To build a modern system of industries through coordinated development by making full use of the respective advantages of industries in the various Greater Bay Area cities; promoting development of nascent industries;
5) To build jointly a quality urban environment in order to provide an ideal place for living, working and travelling;
6) To cultivate greater strength in international cooperation, via full use of the unique advantages of Macao; and deepening cooperation with countries covered by the “Belt and Road” initiative in terms of infrastructure connectivity, commerce and trade, financial services, and people-to-people exchanges; and
7) To support the establishment of major cooperation platforms, namely those for major Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao cooperation.
Macao’s contributions to the Greater Bay Area would be incorporated with the city’s strategic roles as, respectively, a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies).
Complementing strengths from other cities in the Greater Bay Area would facilitate the Government’s effort in diversifying Macao’s economy, Mr Chui added.
He pledged the Government would use its utmost effort in the formulation of fresh, innovative, policies that helped Macao people to integrate themselves in the Greater Bay Area with regards to living, studying, working, starting a business, and eventually retiring.
Meanwhile, the Government would expedite construction of a new Guangdong-Macao boundary-crossing checkpoint and other major cross-boundary infrastructure projects; study closely the facilities for transportation via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge; and advance the scheme for mutual recognition of mainland and Macao driving licences.
Mr Chui pointed out the differences in regulatory systems, including differences of legal framework, between the 11 cities encompassed by the Greater Bay Area, adding he expected the soon-to-be-launched development plan would provide guiding principles to address those issues, and also procedures for mediation and arbitration if such services were required.
The Chief Executive also shared his insights regarding care services for the elderly, as enjoyed by some Macao senior citizens in other Greater Bay Area cities. The Government was considering the possibility of introducing an insurance scheme that would provide for the well-being Macao senior citizens should they choose to reside in any Greater Bay Area city aside from Macao after retirement.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a city cluster covering 11 places, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Hong Kong and Macao.