Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On promised in his New Year address on Saturday that Macau will follow the guidelines laid out by President Xi Jinping and fine-tune Macau’s role as “a centre and a platform” with the central government’s Belt & Road Initiative.
The local government’s “centre and platform” concept refers to Macau’s role as a world tourism and leisure centre and a platform for economic and trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
The Belt & Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, a development strategy launched by the central government with the intention of promoting economic co-operation among countries along the proposed Belt and Road routes connecting Asia, Africa and Europe.
Chui said his government would further strengthen co-operation with the countries and regions along the Belt & Road routes, namely with Guangdong and Fujian.
Chui pointed out that his government has set up a special working group, which he chairs, overseeing Macau’s participation in the Belt & Road Initiative.
The chief executive also said that Macau’s development was “inseparable from the central government’s strong support”. He also said that his government’s development policies would continue to be conducted in line with the central government’s overall national strategy.
Chui also said his government would continue to prioritise economic development and improvements in citizens’ quality of life.
He also underlined the importance of Prime Minister Li Keqiang’s announcement of a string of support measures during his inspection visit to Macau in October.
During the visit Li announced 18 measures to support economic and trade co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. He also announced 19 measures to support Macau’s socio-economic development.
During his visit, Li attended the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries.
Chui also emphasised the significance of Macau’s first-ever Five-Year Plan, which got off the ground last year.
The chief executive also pledged his determination to continue Macau’s “efficient and lawful governance, opening Macau up to a more beautiful, brighter and more prosperous future”. He wished all citizens a Happy New Year, good health, success at work and family happiness.
(Macau News / The Macau Post Daily)
