Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, during an official visit to Malaysia, met with Malaysian Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, according to a Chinese-language statement released by the Macao Government Information Bureau (GCS) last night.
The two sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between Macao and Malaysia in various fields, including trade, tourism, and culture, and expressed their hope that this visit would serve as an opportunity to further deepen mutual trust and ties and expand cooperation.
Sam thanked Anwar and the Malaysian government for supporting the MSAR delegation's visit and providing various forms of assistance. He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, bilateral relations have maintained healthy and stable development, with pragmatic cooperation continuously deepening and people-to-people exchanges becoming increasingly close.
Last year, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Malaysia, and both sides jointly established the high-level strategic China-Malaysia community of shared future. The MSAR is willing to work with Malaysia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen macro-policy and industrial alignment, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.
He briefed Anwar on the development achievements of Macao in successfully implementing "One Country, Two Systems," stating that "One Country, Two Systems" has strong vitality and institutional advantages, and its inherent values of peace, inclusiveness, openness, and sharing deserve to be jointly safeguarded. He pointed out that although Macao is small, it is backed by the vast market of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and even the Chinese mainland, possessing unique advantages of "internal and external connectivity," a "1+4" economic diversification development layout, and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin as a strategic development hinterland, thus ushering in unprecedented opportunities.
Malaysia is an important partner for Macao in deepening its economic and trade ties and cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia. He welcomed more Malaysian enterprises to expand their businesses in Macao and Hengqin, and to use Macao as a platform to further connect with the markets of the Chinese mainland and Portuguese-speaking countries, expanding the breadth and depth of cooperation.
Sam also noted that Malaysia is an important source of international tourists for Macao. Macao is committed to improving its Muslim-friendly tourism environment and hopes that the industries of Macao and Malaysia will build closer communication channels.
Sam said he believes that with regular flights, tourism cooperation between the two sides will reach a new level. Furthermore, the MSAR Government is actively promoting the setting-up of the Macao International Integrated Tourism and Culture Zone and welcomes Malaysian cultural institutions and performing arts groups to participate in it, jointly promoting the development of the cultural and tourism industry.
Sam underlined that negotiations on the upgraded protocol of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 have been completed, which is of great significance for further promoting trade relations between China and ASEAN and also offers important insights for Macao. He suggested that Macao and Malaysia actively consider signing a free trade agreement (FTA) and an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, jointly creating a more favourable environment for economic and trade exchanges and investment cooperation.
Anwar welcomed the delegation of the MSAR Government and businesspeople led by Sam Hou Fai to Malaysia to discuss further cooperation between Malaysia and Macao, and expressed high appreciation for Macao's achievements in economic development and social governance. He affirmed the proposals for both sides to study the signing of an FTA and an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, believing that it would help Malaysia and Macao continue to deepen economic and trade cooperation and two-way investment.
Anwar also said that the two governments should promote stronger cooperation between their respective industries in areas such as healthcare, education, science and technology, and tourism. Malaysia will continue to leverage its geographical advantages to help Macao deepen its close ties and exchanges with ASEAN, Anwar said.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the historical ties and cultural exchanges between Macao and Malaysia. Looking to the future, both sides agreed that there was broad space and great potential for cooperation between the two places
Also present at the meeting were Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, Secretary for Economy and Finance Dora Ng Wai Han, Chief of the Chief Executive's Office Chan Kak, as well as Malaysian Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Sim Tze Tzin, the Prime Minister's Chief Principal Secretary Datuk Shahrol Anuwar Sarman, and Deputy Secretary-General (Bilateral Affairs) Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin.
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Editor's note: Translation of the unabridged Chinese-language statement arranged and edited by the Post
Caption: Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (left) shakes hands with Malaysian Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. - Photo: GCS
