The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, meets with the President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr Say Chhum, during a visit to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said he expected the “Belt and Road” initiative would help the development of closer ties between Macao and Cambodia.
Mr Chui added the two sides would work together to seek closer cooperation, particularly in tourism and training, cultural affairs, education and financial services.
He was speaking during a meeting in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh with the President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr Heng Samrin.
Mr Chui reiterated his views in a separate meeting in the afternoon with the President of the Senate of Cambodia, Mr Say Chhum.
In the meeting with Mr Samrin, Mr Chui said the SAR Government paid great attention to fostering closer ties with Cambodia as part of Macao’s contribution to the “Belt and Road” initiative.
Mr Samrin said Cambodia had a strong relationship with China, noting that China had offered strong support to Cambodia’s development. Investments from China, particularly in infrastructure development under the “Belt and Road” initiative, had played an important part in Cambodia’s economic growth, he stated.
Mr Samrin said the current visit to Cambodia by a SAR Government delegation would help promote friendly relations between the two sides. He expected both sides could strengthen cooperation in several areas, particularly in tourism, by studying the possibility of establishing more direct flight services.
The Chief Executive said closer ties between Macao and Cambodia in tourism, namely in areas such as tourism management and training, would create benefits for both sides. He added Cambodia had rich tourism resources in terms of historic and cultural attractions, while Macao was a well-established tourist destination, combining an historic centre included on the World Heritage List of UNESCO with modern entertainment facilities.
In the afternoon, Mr Chui met with Mr Chhum to exchange views on cooperation between Macao and Cambodia.
The SAR Government was confident that cooperation between the two sides had bright prospects, as China and Cambodia celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties in 2018, said Mr Chui.
Macao and Cambodia would continue advancing cooperation in several areas, including tourism, education, cultural affairs, economy and trade, and trade services, Mr Chui said.
Mr Chhum stated during the meeting that Cambodia would continue to take part in the “Belt and Road” initiative and support the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, an initiative first proposed by China.
Cambodia looked forward to a closer relationship with China via the “Belt and Road” initiative, he added.
Today’s meetings with respectively Mr Samrin and Mr Chhum were part of a three-day visit to Phnom Penh by a SAR Government delegation. As part of the second day of the visit, the delegation also attended a presentation about Macao’s tourism and investment environment; toured a photo exhibition on the achievements of the "One country, two systems" principle and of Macao's participation in the "Belt and Road" initiative; and hosted a special reception.
