The Government would bolster ties with national and international agencies to propel development in Traditional Chinese Medicine, as a strategic step to adequately diversify the economy, said the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, in Beijing today.

Further co-operation with the State Administration in development of TCM would help Macao to meet more international standards on research and quarantine, he said.

Mr Chui, who is leading an official delegation on a four-day visit to Beijing, made these comments in a meeting with the Commissioner of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mr Wang Guoqiang.

He expressed his gratitude for the State Administration’s long-term support in providing professional training to the practitioners, the establishment of a research centre in the University of Macau that offers postgraduate courses, and the establishment of the State Key Laboratory for Quality Research in Chinese Medicine in Macao.

The Government would work closer with the Centre for Traditional Medicine, a joint project with the World Health Organization, and the other institutions involved in TCM research, to further distinguish Macao’s unique position and features.

As a clear direction to maintain long-term stability and prosperity, the Government would step up efforts to expand its economic scope and cultivate talents for the need of development. Thus, the Government retained tight co-operation with the neighbouring regions – Hengqin in Zhuhai, Cuiheng of Zhongshan and Nansha of Guangzhou – and initiated projects such as the Guangdong-Macao Chinese Medicine Technology Park and the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Industrial Park, he said.

The Commissioner, Mr Wang Guoqiang, said Macao saw unprecedented opportunities in developing TCM, as President Xi Jinping and other state leaders had positively acknowledged. The country’s strategy was to turn Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

Mr Wang said his department would spare no effort to work closely with the Macao government to promote exchanges in the industry.

Officials also attended the meeting today were the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ms Lok Kit Sim and the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping, together with leading officials of the State Administration.

Prior to the meeting, Mr Chui also met with the Minister of Commerce, Mr Gao Hucheng and Vice Minister, Ms Gao Yan, to discuss issues on further promoting the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and its supplementary agreements, and strengthening personnel training in both Macao and the mainland.