The third co-ordination meeting for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tourism Ministerial Meeting of the Macao SAR Government delegation and that of the National Tourism Administration (CNTA) was held today in Zhuhai, to discuss further details of arrangements to ensure the smooth progress of the event.

In the morning, the delegation led by Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, met with the Director General of the Department of Tourism Promotion and International Communications, Mr Li Shihong.

Mr Li updated the delegation on the CNTA’s preparation work for the Tourism Ministerial Meeting, while Ms Senna Fernandes reported on Macao’s progress in all related areas. The parties discussed detailed arrangements for the ministerial meeting, protocol, media coverage, publicity and promotion, achieving clear outcomes in all matters.

Members of the MSAR delegation led by Ms Senna Fernandes included the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Victor Chan Chi Ping, Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; Advisor to the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Ng Peng In; and the Deputy Commissioner of the Public Security Police, Mr Mui San Meng. Representatives from the CNTA led by Mr Li Shihong included Deputy Director of the department, Ms Zhang Xinhong; Head of the Research Division, Mr Xu Haijun; Head of the Publicity Division, Mr Zhou Wenjie; Head of the External Affairs Division, Mr Wang Jianshe.

Established in 1989, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the highest level and most influential regional economic organization in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC currently has 21 members. After hosting the Ninth APEC Informal Leadership Meeting in Shanghai in 2001, China is now again responsible for organizing the APEC Informal Leadership Meeting and its related ministerial meetings in 2014. The Macao SAR will host the 8th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting in September.

With China once again hosting APEC, after 13 years, it is of great significance for Macao to host the upcoming APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting. This will be the highest level multilateral economic summit hosted by China under its new leadership. This is also the first time the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting is held in China.

The choice of Macao as the venue for the meeting reflects the full support of the Central People’s Government for the Macao Special Administrative Government.