An exhibition area at the 2nd China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai aims to promote Macau’s role as an international centre and platform alongside the city’s position as an important gateway between the whole Chinese nation and the rest of the world, the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the “Macao Hub” exhibition area is a part of the China Pavilion at the annual fair, which opened on Tuesday and ends on Sunday, is the world’s first import-themed, national-level expo.
The statement said that Macau’s participation in the expo aimed to showcase its progress, in particular its achievements over the past 20 years, the period since the city’s return to the motherland in December 1999, when the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) was established and the first MSAR government was sworn in.
‘Centre & platform’ policies
Also highlighted at the expo are Macau’s strides towards its strategic goals of being a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Both roles are collectively known as Macau’s “centre and platform” policies, the statement noted.
The “Macao Hub” exhibition has been set up by GCS. It covers 126 square metres and is divided into four sections: “Macau – Commercial and Trade Cooperation Service Platform between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”; “A Place Where East Meets West, and Business Opportunities Abound”; “Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Macau’s Return to the Motherland”; and “Integrating into National Development”, the statement pointed out. ‘
World Heritage
The Macau exhibition area features bright and translucent images – in silhouette form – of its UNESCO-listed World Heritage sites, showcasing the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures in the city, according to the statement.
The “Macao Hub” exhibition area features VR-based interactive installations to demonstrate Macau’s platform role and its effort to act as a bridge between China and the world’s eight Portuguese-speaking countries and other nations.
City of Gastronomy
The interactive facilities are also seeking to promote better understanding of the city’s special atmosphere and “centre and platform” capabilities, as well as its UNESCO-recognised status as a “Creative City of Gastronomy”, the statement said.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland, “Macao Hub” also features an interactive display taking as its reference point the city’s “Lotus Flower In Full Bloom” bronze sculpture, which was presented by the central government in 1999 as a gift to the just-established MSAR government, the statement points out.
The “Macao Hub” exhibition area at the expo seeks to illustrate, through images and statistics, Macau’s steady economic growth, social harmony and prosperity in the two decades since its return to the motherland, the statement said.
GBA & BRI
The display also outlines Macau’s overall strengths and active involvement in a string of national projects, such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“Visitors to the exhibition area will also gain fresh insights into Macao’s strides in developing its “centre and platform” policies as well as in establishing itself as a multicultural exchange and cooperation base with an emphasis on Chinese culture,” the statement said.
Visitors to the “Macao Hub” area can collect a raft of souvenirs provided by various Macau government entities.
China Pavilion
The China Pavilion covers an aggregate area of 1,500 square metres. It takes as its theme of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, demonstrating the nation’s economic and social development and opportunities in the new era.
Guests from some 170 countries and regions are expected to take part in the six-day event, including government officials, businesspeople and representatives of international organisations.
The Shanghai event has two sections. The Country Exhibition section covers a total of 30,000 square metres, and has 64 countries participating. According to the Macau Post Daily, the Business Exhibition section has an area of more than 330,000 square metres, with participation from some 3,000 companies from more than 150 countries and territories with booths focused on technology, consumer goods, foodstuff, healthcare, and other products and services.
