The Government would evaluate efforts in advancing the development of traditional Chinese medicine to better diversify Macao’s economy and make best use of the country’s policies.
The Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On today (6 of January) led a delegation to Zhuhai and Zhongshan in Guangdong province with senior officials that included the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo Arrais do Rosário; and Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam.
In a meeting with leading officials of the Zhuhai Government, Mr Chui said he believed this year would be an important one to further intensify their co-operation goals such as strengthening industry diversification, expediting cross-boundary infrastructures and taking best advantages of the new boundary-crossing policy.
Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac, said the establishment of reputable traditional Chinese medicine centres in Macao, including the State Key Laboratory for Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and the centre set up by the World Health Organization, would make its products fulfil international standards and easier to export worldwide.
Mr Leong said he believed in the current co-operation model Macao and Zhuhai could roll out more co-operation projects in many other areas.
Secretary of Zhuhai CPC Committee, Mr Li Jia, said in the meeting that the next five years were important ones not only for Macao but also for Zhuhai, with the Hengqin Free Trade Zone and the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
He said both governments should plan better ahead their industry diversification and set up effective mechanisms for the opportunities emerging in the inter-metropolitan area of Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao.
Mr Li said the Zhuhai government would expedite its infrastructure construction, including the New Guangdong-Macao Channel and its metro system that connects Macao.
From Zhuhai the delegation proceeded to Zhongshan and met with leading officials there including the Secretary of Zhongshan CPC Committee, Mr Xue Xiaofeng, and the Mayor, Mr Chen Liangxian.
Mr Chui said that he had received positive feedback from the Central Government regarding the proposal to enlist the Cuiheng New District in the Framework Agreement on Co-operation between Guangdong and Macao and that it could become one of the highlights in the Framework and further to become part of the country’s development strategy.
He said he was confident in the scheme on facilitated travel for pleasure crafts, saying the vessels could sail between Zhongshan and Macao.
The Secretary of Zhongshan CPC Committee, Mr Xue Xiaofeng, said he expected facilitated travel for pleasure crafts could be introduced in first half of the year, as the construction in checkpoints were going full speed ahead. Upon completion, it would be the first port open for pleasure crafts in the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
He said the Guangdong-Macao co-operation display zone would also help Macao to foster economy diversification and to upgrade Zhongshan’s overall positioning.
Source: Government Information Bureau
