BEIJING – Macau is making the utmost effort to give full play to its unique advantages by cooperating with the other 10 cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), in a joint undertaking to realise the goals outlined in the blueprint for the conurbation development initiative
According to a statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS), Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On made the pledge in Beijing on Friday when addressing a meeting of the central government’s leading group for the GBA development. The meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People, was chaired by Vice Premier Han Zheng.
In his opening remarks, Chui said the GBA outline development provided a scientific basis for Macau’s role in the initiative, and for the direction of Macau’s effort to achieve its goals, as well as offering a comprehensive overview regarding ways in which Macau could contribute to the GBA project.
According to Chui, the GBA blueprint has great significance in Macau’s ongoing efforts to achieve adequate economic diversification, promote social well-being for its population, maintain its long-term prosperity and advance the successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle in Macau.
During Friday’s meeting, Chui reviewed key steps the local government had taken to advance the GBA project, and the measures to ensure Macau acts in line with the central government’s overall GBA planning.
Chui stressed his government’s commitment to the so-called two-pronged approach – as directed by President Xi Jinping – concerning Macau’s economic diversification effort.
The president’s approach has directed Macau to forge ahead with regional cooperation initiatives while enhancing its overall capabilities, with a focus on transforming Macau into a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, apart from promoting the development of key nascent industries.
Chui went on to say that Macau’s various government entities would step up efforts to set up more innovative policies and pilot schemes, in order to foster coordination and communication with other GBA cities.
The GBA initiative was put forward by Xi to promote economic development in nine cities in Guangdong and the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.
The leading group for the GBA development was set up by the central government last year and held its first meeting in August.
Han is the chairman of the group. Its two vice chairmen are the secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Li Xi, and the chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), He Lifeng. The NDRC is the central government’s top think tank.
Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On (fourth from right) addresses Friday’s meeting by the State Council’s leading group on the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Photo: GCS
