Macau and Guangdong will continue consolidating joint efforts and achievements regarding COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, facilitation of economic recovery and normalisation of exchanges, the deepening and broadening of the scope for cooperation, and the expediting of the establishment of the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, the Macau government said in a statement on Saturday.
According to the statement, the steps are taken in a bid to open a new chapter for achieving even greater success in cooperation between Macau and the neighbouring province.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng met on Friday in Guangzhou with Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Secretary Li Xi and Governor Wang Weizhong.
Ho headed a delegation of the local government. The delegation returned to Macau on Friday evening.
During the initial meeting, according to the statement, Ho expressed his gratitude to Guangdong for its long-term support, as evidenced by the interest shown, and encouragement given, by Li. Ho also said that his government would definitely follow the spirit of the series of instructions by the central government while implementing all of its work.
Macau is maintaining its overall stability, and has made considerable achievements regarding COVID-19 prevention and control, Ho said.
However, Ho acknowledged, Macau has been facing economic pressure, due to a significant drop in the number of visitors, arising from the ever-changing global environment and the pandemic situation in various countries and regions. As the pandemic is subsiding on the mainland, Ho said he was upbeat about Macau’s gradual economic recovery by the second half of this year.
Macau is making steady progress in the appropriate diversification of its economy, the statement quoted Ho as saying.
Regarding the progress of work related to the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Ho said that Guangdong and Macau have discussed many practical issues, and made joint efforts, with a common goal of integrating their respective systems with the zone.
Ho said he hoped that Guangdong and Macau would continue enhancing cooperation, join forces to make use of the advantages of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, and actively implement all policies and measures according to the Master Plan for the Development of the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Meanwhile, the two sides have been working together at a higher level, in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), Ho said, adding that he firmly believes that Guangdong-Macau cooperation will achieve fruitful results.
On behalf of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and the Guangdong Provincial Government, Li extended his thanks to Macau for fully supporting the social and economic development of Guangdong.
Li said that Guangdong is persistently upholding the spirit of the series of keynote speeches and instructions given by President Xi Jinping. Guangdong has been sparing no effort in implementing all plans established at the 13th CPC Guangdong Provincial Congress. Guangdong has been – as told by Xi – striving to fulfil all its tasks, developing new initiatives, and creating a new environment for progress, as the province is preparing for the start of the 20th CPC National Congress later this year.
Marching forward on a new journey of development, Guangdong will persistently implement the decisions and plans set out by Xi and the CPC Central Committee, seize the historic opportunity of the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and deepen the province’s cooperation with Macau, Li said, adding that the aim is to promote Macau’s appropriate economic diversification and its integration into the overall national development plan.
Li said he hoped that Guangdong and Macau will seize the strong opportunities available, and closely cooperate in promoting high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area and of the in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin.
He also said he hoped that Guangdong and Macau will enhance their joint COVID pandemic prevention and control measures; and deepen cooperation in various fields such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research, development and production; modern financial services; science and technology research and development; high-end manufacturing; culture and tourism, convention and exhibitions, and commercial and trade industries. Li also said he also hoped the two sides will work to improve people’s livelihoods and strengthen youth exchanges and interactions. These steps aim to achieve greater success in high-level cooperation between Guangdong and Macau and make contributions to the successful practice of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, Li said.
On Friday, Ho attended a panel meeting with Wang to exchange views on the highlights of work in the next phase of cooperation, especially in terms of expediting the construction of the in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, and the measures regarding the movement of goods under either the “first-tier” of relaxed administration, or the “second-tier” of stricter customs control.
During the panel meeting, Ho stressed that Guangdong and Macau should ensure the maintenance of significant levels of effectiveness in pandemic prevention and control, whilst facilitating border crossing movements by travellers and boosting economic activities. In addition, Ho said, the Macau government is actively considering a reduction in the centralised medical observation period, in order to promote the two sides’ economic recovery.
Ho said that Guangdong and Macau must continue deepening collaboration in all areas, including through joint consideration of further cooperation in cross-border transportation, civil servant training, and talent importation.
Following the initial progress in the establishment of the in-depth cooperation zone in Hengqin, both sides should continue following the “Four New Strategic Positions” and the “Four New Missions” prescribed in the zone’s general development plan.
According to Ho, the aim is to tackle all challenges; explore reforms in taxation policies; develop major projects; and attract to the in-depth cooperation zone professionals and other talented people from the mainland and abroad; and deal with other major issues that would support continued optimisation of the new system via mutual discussions. Ho said the goal is to promote joint construction, joint administration, and shared benefits from the in-depth cooperation zone, and ensure the steady implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.
Wang said that Guangdong will firmly implement the decisions and plans set out by Xi and the CPC Central Committee, seize the historic opportunity of the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and strive continuously for new achievements in Guangdong-Macau cooperation.
Guangdong will accelerate the implementation of major innovative policies, and preferential measures related to personal income tax and business income tax, the governor said, adding that Guangdong will also intensify solicitation of investments in Guangdong-Macau cooperative projects; and develop a new batch of major innovative projects and industries, with the aim of facilitating Macau’s appropriate economic diversification.
Guangdong will actively promote talent exchanges and collaboration, and explore the development of civil servant training and of exchange mechanisms, in order to support human resources for the development of the in-depth cooperation zone, Wang added.
Guangdong will also expedite arrangements regarding the entry of Macau-registered vehicles to the mainland, and perfect the quota mechanism for border-crossing transport services, Wang said, adding that this will be for the convenience of Guangdong and Macau residents wishing to make cross-boundary trips.
Wang added that Guangdong will continue to prudently implement COVID-19 prevention and control measures. The province will also continue deepening exchanges and cooperation in financial services, education, youth innovation and entrepreneurship matters, in order to promote social and economic development, and to improve people’s livelihoods in Guangdong and Macau, Wang said.
Other members of the MSAR Government delegation attending the meetings were Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon, Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U, Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office Hoi Lai Fong, Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) Director Chan Lou; and Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau Director Cheong Chok Man.
Senior Guangdong CPC committee and government officials also attended the meeting.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng (left) shakes hands with Communist Party of China (CPC) Guangdong provincial Committee Secretary Li Xi, during a meeting held in Guangzhou on Friday. Photo: GCS
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng (left) shakes hands with Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong before a panel meeting held in Guangzhou on Friday. Photo: GCS
