The Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng, today discussed with officials of the Hainan Government on how to make better use in boosting bilateral ties via advantages arising from the free-trade port policy of Hainan, and the development of traditional Chinese medicine sector.
Mr Ho, who is in Sanya City, Hainan Province, met with the Secretary of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, Mr Liu Cigui, the Governor of Hainan, Mr Shen Xiaoming, and exchanged views on how to strengthen cooperation in economic and trade matters, tourism and cultural affairs.
Mr Ho is visiting Hainan for the 2020 Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation Chief Executive Joint Conference, which takes place tomorrow.
Mr Ho said in the meeting that Hainan’s strategy for developing the three major industries were a reference point for Macao in terms of economic diversification effort. The COVID-19 pandemic had clearly revealed problems regarding Macao’s over-reliance in a single economic sector.
The Macao SAR Government’s determination in pressing ahead with the city’s economic diversification, said the Chief Executive, adding that such a goal would require closer ties with partner cities from the mainland.
He pointed out that the free-trade port policy was a fresh initiative for the country and a unique opportunity for Hainan, noting specially a management model of "opening the first line and controlling the second line" implemented in the province.
Mr Liu briefed the Chief Executive on the economic achievements of Hainan in recent years and effort in accelerating local development as a free-trade port.
Hainan and Macao would work closer in order to make better use of the favourable conditions created under the free-trade port policy – which was put forward by President Xi Jinping and was designed only for Hainan, Mr Liu said.
Secretary Liu noted Hainan and Macao had complementary strengths. With steady progress reported respectively in both places, Hainan and Macao would foster people-of-people exchange and enhance ties in tourism, cultural affairs, economic and trade matters.
In addition, the Chief Executive shared information regarding development of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, and the local legislation progress regarding traditional Chinese medicine sector.
Traditional Chinese medicine was a nascent industry in Macao and the Government paid great attention in the promotion of traditional Chinese medicine in the city’s healthcare system, Mr Ho said.
The SAR Government has stepped up effort to optimise local laws in order to establish a more comprehensive healthcare service integrating with traditional Chinese medicine and relevant supervision mechanism; enhance regulations for approving registration of traditional Chinese medicine products; and create a systematic training for professional practitioners.
Speaking in the meeting, Mr Liu said he was confident about the development prospects of Traditional Chinese medicine sector, saying Hainan and Macao could bolster cooperation in relation to the Industrial Park. He also proposed the two places should set up a tourist mechanism, so to give a better play of Hainan’s profound natural resources.
The Government delegation arrived in Sanya City on Wednesday (16 September) and visited the Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City and Sanya International Duty-free Complex.
Members of the Government delegation to Hainan included: the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Lei Wai Nong; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Hoi Lai Fong; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Ms Chan Lou; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Ms Lei Ut Mui.
