The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today welcomes the designation of Macao, China as a new member city of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of Gastronomy.

Mr Chui said he appreciated the decision announced on Tuesday by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), making Macao the third Creative City of Gastronomy in China.

He also thanked the Central Government for its support on the matter, and recognised the joint effort – made over the course of more than one year – by the local tourism sector and catering industry, regarding preparation to achieve such designation.

Macao paid great attention to the development of its gastronomy, which was a mixture of Chinese and Western influences and had been formed over the course of more than 400 years. It would further develop in a creative manner during the process of transforming Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure.

The new status given by UNESCO would foster the diversification of the city’s economy, becoming a new dynamic in Macao’s economic sustainability and the well-being of the community.

The Government would step up effort to promote Macao’s unique gastronomy and food culture, utilising more effectively the local community’s creativity – and the Government’s cooperation with international and regional partners – so as to advance Macao’s capabilities as a Creative City of Gastronomy.