Four Central Government ministries and commissions have responded positively to the proposed new Macao-Zhuhai pedestrian crossing and water works to prevent floods in the inner harbour zone.

This was disclosed by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, in Beijing today as he concluded his visit to the capital with his official delegation, which included the Secretary for Transportation and Public Works, Mr Lao Si Io, and the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Choi Lai Hang.

Mr Chui said Macao had been studying and co-ordinating with Guangdong and ministries and commissions of the Central Government on building a new passageway between Macao and Zhuhai to ease the pressure on the Bordergate terminal.

He said that during the meetings with the Ministry of Land and Resources and the State Oceanic Administration, they discussed the usage of water, and the damages and sufferings in the inner harbour zone brought about by floods.

He said the Macao SAR Government wanted to submit plans to the Central Government to tackle this issue, which involved the usage of water.

Mr Chui said he had also spoken with representatives of the four ministries and commissions about the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the development of Hengqin and round-the-clock operation of checkpoints, as well as the management of one-off entry of small vehicles between Guangdong and Macao, which he described as an issue with no urgency and priority.

Mr Chu and his delegation visited the General Administration of Customs, the Ministry of Public Security, the State Oceanic Administration, and the Ministry of Land and Resources.

Other delegation members also included the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fong Sio Weng