The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, meets with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Mr Francisco Pascual Obama Asue, at Government Headquarters in Macao.
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said he expected Macao and Equatorial Guinea to retain ties and develop closer ones during the phased development of the “Belt and Road” initiative and of Macao’s “Centre and Platform” policies.
The Portuguese language was an official language in both places, facilitating further exchanges in cultural affairs, tourism development and people-to-people bond, Mr Chui added.
Mr Chui made the comments on Thursday (7 June) during a meeting with the visiting Prime Minister of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Mr Francisco Pascual Obama Asue, at Government Headquarters in Macao.
Mr Asue had been invited to Macao for the 9th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF). The African country has taken part in the Macao-based event for three consecutive years.
Mr Chui mentioned during the meeting that the IIICF was able to offer synergies for Macao in terms of the city’s strategic development positions, namely, as a world centre of tourism and leisure; and as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. They are collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies.
The IIICF event additionally facilitated incremental expansion of Macao’s contribution to the “Belt and Road” initiative. It also provided the city an opportunity to gain new insights on the latest technological trends in infrastructure construction work, and thereby enhance Macao’s competitiveness.
The Chief Executive highlighted Macao’s full engagement in terms of integrating itself into China’s overall development, and the city’s support for the development needs of friendly countries. In the context of Portuguese-speaking countries, Macao played an already-established bridging role and was reinforcing that, he added.
During Thursday’s meeting, Mr Asue briefed Mr Chui on Equatorial Guinea’s strategic plan “Horizon 2020”, explaining how the “Belt and Road” initiative proposed by China complemented his country’s goals in expediting infrastructure development.
Mr Asue also expressed his gratitude for the Macao Government’s invitation to the IIICF event. He added he looked forward to its growing success, and to Equatorial Guinea and other participating countries benefitting from the event’s widening scope.
Macao officials attending the meeting were: the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Ms Lei Ut Mui.
Officials representing Equatorial Guinea at the meeting included: the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Urban Planning, Mr Diosdado Nsue Medja; Vice President of National Project Planning and Monitoring, Mr Alejandro Micha Nsue; and the Ambassador to China of Equatorial Guinea, Mr German Ekua Sima Abaga.