The “China Macao World Stage – Overseas Chinese Contributions to the High-Quality Development of the Belt and Road Initiative Conference”, jointly organised by the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau and All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC), was held on Monday at Macau Tower, having attracted more than 500 participants including delegates of overseas Chinese associations from more than 60 countries, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the organisers.
In the statement, the organisers said the conference aimed to share the “inspiring success stories” of Macau’s “One Country, Two Systems” principle with the overseas Chinese community, and showcase Macau’s endeavour to achieve high-quality development for national rejuvenation.
The statement said that the one-day conference was one of the main events of the three-day celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau which started on Sunday, underlining that this year also marked 10 years since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was unveiled.
The BRI is a foreign policy and economic strategy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The term derives from the overland “Silk Road Economic Belt” and the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”, concepts introduced by President Xi Jinping in 2013. These are the two major axes with which China proposes to economically link the two ends of Eurasia, as well as Africa and Oceania, according to the official website of the “Belt and Road Portal”.
According to the statement, the launch ceremony was co-officiated by Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, Liaison Office Director Zheng Xincong, Foreign Ministry Commissioner Liu Xianfa, ACFROC Vice Chairman Cheng Xueyuan, Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak, Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo do Rosário, as well as Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau Chairman Alex Lao Nga Wong. Other government officials, including Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) Executive Director Vong Sin Man were also present.
The statement added that the conference included a raft of tourism and investment promotion activities, forums and memorandum signing ceremonies, as well as a thematic exhibition featuring the history and culture of the Chinese diaspora.
According to a report by local Chinese newspaper Macao Daily News, Ho praised the organisers’ efforts in establishing and consolidating commercial ties with countries and regions along the Belt and Road (B&R) through the overseas Chinese communities’ strong network.
The report quoted Ho as saying: “Macau, since its beginning as a entrepot, has been a window for cultural and commercial exchanges between China and the world, where the Chinese diaspora has always played an important role.” According to Ho, Macau is the ideal platform for returned overseas Chinese to invest, set up business and hence gain access to the emerging mainland Chinese market, while at the same time helping China to expand its “soft power” abroad.
Ho also noted that the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will be entering its third year of operation in 2024. “Currently, the construction of the cooperation zone has already achieved preliminary results, with several policies in favour of foreign investment having been implemented and the business environment being continuously improved,” he said, adding that he believed the rapid development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA) would provide overseas Chinese entrepreneurs with ample business opportunities.
This handout photo provided by the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau shows Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng giving a speech during the Monday’s conference.
Participants pose for a group photo during the “China Macao World Stage — Overseas Chinese Contributions to the High-Quality Development of the Belt and Road Initiative Conference” on Monday at the Convention & Entertainment Centre on the 4th floor of Macau Tower. - Photo supplied by the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau
