The Macao Special Administrative Region Government tonight hosted the ‘Macao Night’ welcome dinner for the Vice Premier, Mr Wang Yang, who arrived this morning for the Eighth APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting (TMM8), as well as the delegates of the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies.

Speaking to the guests, the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said organising TMM8 had special meaning to Macao as it reflected the Central Government’s enormous support for and trust in the MSAR Government.

The Chief Executive noted that by organising TMM8, Macao could further promote its development into a world tourism and leisure centre.

In his speech, he gave thanks to the Central Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) for their assistance in helping Macao prepare for the meeting.

“Through organising the Tourism Ministerial Meeting, we hope that you will find Macao as an ideal networking platform while we will also take this opportunity to present Macao to the world,” Mr Chui told delegates of the APEC member economies.

He pointed out that with Macao’s favourable geographical conditions and unique advantages endowed by the principle of “one country, two systems”, Macao could play an active role in international tourism co-operation.

Mr Shao Qiwei, Chairman of CNTA, told the gathering that CNTA would fully support Macao’s efforts in promoting the development of integrated tourism and help Macao enhance co-operation with the global tourism community.

He added that as the Asia Pacific region has become the biggest aviation market and the number one tourist destination in the world, the tourism industry is also becoming a strategic pillar industry in China as a series of measures introduced by the State Council has created a sound legal environment for the future development of the tourism sector in China.

Guests at the welcome dinner were entertained with cultural performances that highlighted Macao’s unique status as a meeting point between the East and the West.

The Eighth APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting will open at the Macao International Convention Centre in the Macao East Asian Games Dome tomorrow morning.

The theme of this year’s meeting is “Exploration of Asia Pacific Tourism Co-operation and Future Development” and the meeting will conclude with the “Macao Declaration”.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of APEC.