The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, cordially shakes hands with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr Sar Kheng, prior to a meeting held in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today expressed confidence in the ability of Macao and Cambodia to make further contributions to the development of the “Belt and Road” initiative.
As part of a three-day visit to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, Mr Chui met today with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr Hun Sen. The two officials discussed strategies to create fresh cooperation opportunities in several areas, including in tourism management and training. They also analysed the potential launch of further direct flight services between Macao and Cambodia.
The two officials additionally agreed to strengthen cooperation on human resource training and on the promotion of high quality agricultural products
During the meeting, Mr Chui reviewed the results of the ongoing cooperation between Macao and Cambodia in tourism, financial services, trade and cultural affairs. He said Cambodia could explore new development opportunities by making use of Macao’s robust communities of returned overseas Chinese and the city’s ties with Portuguese-speaking countries.
Mr Sen stated during the meeting that he believed Macao could work as a link between the countries and areas covered by the “Belt and Road” initiative, with the support from the Central Government of China.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister said the positioning of Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure would help reinforce tourism cooperation between the two sides. He added that Cambodia looked forward to learning from Macao’s experience in tourism development.
In a separate meeting held in the morning with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia Mr Sar Kheng, Mr Chui reiterated the SAR Government’s dedication to boosting cooperation with Cambodia.
Mr Chui stated that Cambodia was a key partner for Macao in helping the city to push forward its contributions to the “Belt and Road” initiative. He said the current visit to Cambodia of a SAR Government delegation aimed in that direction, by strengthening the ties between Macao and Cambodia.
The Chief Executive noted that cooperation between Macao and Cambodia had already achieved significant progress in various aspects. He also pointed out the positive contributions to cooperation between Macao and Cambodia made by representatives of the business sector, returned overseas Chinese communities, and young people from both places.
Mr Kheng stated Macao had achieved significant economic growth under the support of the Central Government of China. Macao’s experience in developing its economy was an important reference for Cambodia, he added.
Mr Kheng stated that two memoranda of understanding signed earlier this year between Macao and Cambodia would help push forward bilateral cooperation. That was a reference respectively to a memorandum of understanding signed yesterday between the SAR Government and Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and to a similar document signed in March between the authorities of Cambodia’s Siem Reap Province and the SAR Government.
Following the meeting, the SAR Government delegation attended a lunch reception hosted by Mr Kheng.
