The Mainland and Macau Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, which was approved by the State Council, was established today (26) in Zhuhai to strengthen the bilateral economic and trade ties between the two places.

The Mainland delegation was headed by the Vice Minister of Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, An Min and the Macau SAR delegation was led by Secretary for Economy and Finance, Tam Pak Yuen.

An Min said that the development of Western part of China, Beijing's succession on bidding 2008 Olympics and China's accession to World Trade Organization had accelerated the economic and trade development between Mainland and Macau, adding that the establishment of the Joint Commission would enhance communication on economic and trade matters between authorities of the two places.

Tam Pak Yuen said that after the establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region, the business cooperation between Macau and Mainland were reinforced. He said that the set up of the Joint Commission was the mutual will of the two sides, adding that the Central Government highly concerns and supports Macau.

The Joint Commission consists of two sub-groups, namely the Trade and Investment group and Economy Cooperation group. During the meeting, the two sub-groups presented the respective economic and trade situations and investment atmosphere in Mainland and Macau.

The Joint Commission, which will hold meeting annually either in Mainland or Macau, was in charged by Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and Secretary for Economy and Finance of Macau SAR. The second meeting will be held in Macau in 2002.