The Chief Executive, Chui Sai On, Tuesday said the government has readied resources in order for the community to take part in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
According to the Macau Government Information Bureau the government looked forward to seeing the incremental expansion of opportunities for Macao people, as outlined in a development plan to be issued by the State Council.
Chui made the remarks during a plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly, where he took questions raised by Assembly deputies concerning government policy and social issues.
Macau had made preparations to enable an enhanced degree of participation in the Greater Bay Area project from among local young people, he said. Such preparations had been made via experience gained from the Guangdong-Macao Comprehensive Cooperation Demonstration Zone located in Zhongshan; and from Macau’s involvement in Daguang Bay Economic Zone in Jiangmen.
Chui explained in detail the principles of cooperation outlined in the Framework Agreement on Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation in the Development of the Bay Area.
Macau’s contributions to the Greater Bay Area would be incorporated with the city’s strategic roles as, respectively, a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies).
Complementing strengths from other cities in the Greater Bay Area would facilitate the Government’s effort in diversifying Macau’s economy, Chui added.
He also pledged the Government would use its utmost effort in the formulation of fresh, innovative, policies that helped Macao people to integrate themselves in the Greater Bay Area with regards to living, studying, working, starting a business, and eventually retiring.
Meanwhile, the Government would expedite construction of a new Guangdong-Macao boundary-crossing checkpoint and other major cross-boundary infrastructure projects; study closely the facilities for transportation via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
Chui pointed out the differences in regulatory systems, including differences of legal framework, between the 11 cities encompassed by the Greater Bay Area, adding he expected the soon-to-be-launched development plan would provide guiding principles to address those issues, and also procedures for mediation and arbitration if such services were required.
The Chief Executive also shared his insights regarding care services for the elderly, as enjoyed by some Macao senior citizens in other Greater Bay Area cities.
The Government was considering the possibility of introducing an insurance scheme that would provide for the well-being Macau senior citizens should they choose to reside in any Greater Bay Area city aside from Macau after retirement.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is a city cluster covering 11 places, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Hong Kong and Macau.
