National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Vice Chairman Luo Wen said on Monday that Macau should combine the advantages of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and the nation’s development needs when participating in the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), adding that Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau should use their comparative advantages and utilise their systemic differences in order to achieve co-development.
Luo made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech during a presentation on the central government’s Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
The one-day event was organised by the local government’s Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau (DSEPDR) at the Macau East Asian Games Dome in Cotai.
Luo also said that the GBA development would further enrich the “practical implications” for the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, adding that it could also ensure the long-term prosperity and stability of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Luo underlined that the development of a world-class greater bay area and top city cluster could also strengthen the nation’s economic innovation and competition capabilities, adding that it would also improve people’s livelihoods in Hong Kong and Macau, which would also enable them to share the nation’s prosperity.
Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On, Central People’s Government Liaison Office in Macau Director Fu Ziying, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macau Shen Beili and Legislative Assembly (AL) President Ho Iat Seng, as well as senior local government’s officials and civic leaders attended the event which, according to a statement by the local government, was attended by 800 people.
Ho is widely expected to become Macau’s next chief executive.
DSEPDR Director Mi Jian noted in the event’s opening speech that through the GBA Outline Development Plan Macau has been given the “one centre, one platform, one base” status by the central government, which showed Macau’s strategic importance.
“One centre” refers to Macau’s aim to become a world centre for tourism and leisure; “one platform” refers to the economic and trade cooperation platform for China and Portuguese-speaking countries; and “one base” refers to the base of multiple cultures’ co-existence with Chinese culture as the mainstream in Macau.
Mi also underlined that this also showed the central government’s “expectations and trust” in the local government, adding that it was also a historic opportunity for Macau, as well as a kind of responsibility and challenge.
Mi chaired Monday’s presentation session.
Luo pointed out that with the release of the GBA Outline Development Plan the GBA strategy has entered a “comprehensive stage of implementation”, adding that it also revealed the central government’s affirmation and support of Hong Kong and Macau’s importance in the national development plan.
Luo also pointed out that the GBA development has significant importance in achieving the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
Luo further pointed out that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the 20th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland, adding he believed that the GBA development would march into a “new phase” and contribute to the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macau.
