A seminar to promote the spirit of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held yesterday afternoon at the Services Platform Complex for Commercial and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (aka Forum Macao Complex).
During the seminar, where 500 government officials and sector leaders attended, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng highlighted that the event aided government officials and various sectors of Macau’s civil society in grasping the essence of the third plenary session, elucidating crucial issues regarding the new era’s path and changes to be undertaken.
The seminar featured Shen Chunyao, Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Constitution and Law Committee and Director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, along with Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao as key speakers.
In specific terms, Ho said the third plenary session aims to further capitalise on Macau’s unique advantages under the “One Country, Two Systems” institutional framework, make the city’s “golden business card” as an international metropolis shine even brighter, as well as contributing to the nation’s rapid establishment of a new development pattern. This includes fostering a hub for international high-end talent, playing a more significant role in the country’s external opening, and deepening cooperation within the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Ho noted that his government will “transform the decisions and plans made during the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee into concrete actions” in compliance with the central authorities’ resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively.
Zheng Xincong, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), also spoke at the seminar, expressing his hope that everyone actively learns and promotes the spirit of the plenary session.
Zheng also called for continuous efforts to deepen understanding of the spirit, comprehensively grasp the significance of further reform, support the local government in its reform endeavours and national security, while advancing economic diversification and modernising governance capabilities.
By fully utilising Macau’s role as a bridge to international countries, Zheng encourages the continuous promotion of broader and deeper cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking, Spanish-speaking, Southeast Asian, and European countries, in order to instil confidence in the international community that a better China leads to a better world, rallying widespread support for China’s reform and opening-up efforts.
Another seminar, aimed at government and judicial officials, as well as members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly, was conducted at the Forum Macao Complex in the morning. Following the seminar, several government officials spoke to the press.
Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon noted that Macau needed to fully recognise its own advantages and steadfastly advance the “One Centre, One Platform, and One Base” policy.
Particularly in economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchange with Portuguese-speaking countries, Cheong noted that in order to ensure the full implementation of the central authorities’ decisions and plans for Macau, the city should effectively leverage its role as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, an economic and trade cooperation platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Ng Wai Han, director of the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau (SAFP), noted that the spirit of the Third Plenary Session underscores the importance of further comprehensive deepening of reforms. This provides crucial guidance for the local government to deepen public administrative reforms, reinforcing the determination to further deepen these reforms.
In specific terms, Ng noted that the government will aim to make services more responsive to the needs of citizens and businesses, further increasing public satisfaction with public services.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Lei Wai Nong said that Shen, the seminar’s key speaker, expressed his hope that Macau will further establish itself as an international hub for high-end talent, enhancing its role in China’s external opening. Additionally, Lei noted Shen pointed out the necessity of the deepening cooperation within the Greater Bay Area, underlining the need for Macau to play a more significant role in policy alignment and integration within the Greater Bay Area. Lei also highlighted the importance of appropriately diversifying the city’s economy based on its “1+4” model.
Deputy Director of the Economic and Technology Development Bureau (DSEDT) Chan Tze Wai underlined that Macau serves as a World Centre for Tourism and Leisure, with favourable conditions such as a free port, and a standalone customs territory which align well with international business practices. She noted that Macau should further advance its internationalised, market-orientated, and rule-of-law business environment to attract more foreign enterprises and talents from around the world, while also serving as a platform for foreign enterprises to access the vast mainland market.
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng delivers a speech during yesterday afternoon’s seminar to promote the spirit of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). – Photo: William Chan
