The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, is to lead a Government delegation to visit respectively Cambodia and Thailand, setting off tomorrow (7 May) and returning on Friday, 11 May.

The trip to the two countries – whose territories fall within the scope of the “Belt and Road” initiative – is aimed at reinforcing mutual cooperation and exchanges in fields such as tourism and economic and trade matters.

The tour is also designed to foster Macao’s unique bridging functions, and to advance the city’s contributions to the “Belt and Road” initiative under the principle of “serving the country’s needs, delivering Macao’s strengths”.

During the five-day visit, the Government delegation will visit Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, and Thailand’s capital Bangkok. The delegation will hold meetings respectively with senior officials from the two countries and attend activities hosted by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

In Phnom Penh, the Chief Executive will meet with respectively: leaders of the Cambodian government; leaders of the national assembly; leaders of the country’s senate; and the Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia. Mr Chui will also attend a presentation about Macao’s tourism and investment environment.

Mr Chui will additionally attend a youth round-table session regarding opportunities arising from the “Belt and Road” initiative. The youth round-table session will also discuss boosting exchanges and friendship between young people from the two places; and the development of closer ties between Macao and Cambodia.

While in Bangkok, the Chief Executive will meet with respectively: senior officials of the Thai government, and the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand. Mr Chui will witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding regarding the establishment of friendship city status between Phuket Province and Macao.

The Government delegation will also attend a presentation, hosted by the SAR Government, on economic and trade ties between the two places as well as on the development of tourism in Thailand and Macao.

The delegation will attend – during the Bangkok leg of the trip – the “2018 Traditional Medicine International Development Forum”, a platform promoted by the SAR Government to explore how to internationalise traditional Chinese medicine. The event is due to be attended by governmental representatives from countries comprising the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as experts, scholars and entrepreneurs.

The Government delegation will include: the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng; and all the members of the Executive Council, along with some representatives of returned overseas Chinese communities in Macao and a number of Macao young people.

The trip to Cambodia and Thailand marks the first time that representatives of the “Gathering of Thousand Talents” have been invited to join the Chief Executive on an official overseas visit. This highlights the Government’s determination to encourage Macao young people to be involved in national development strategies and policies; and to support Macao young people in developing a global outlook.

While Mr Chui is away, the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, will be acting Chief Executive.