The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, said today Nansha, Hengqin and Qianhai -- the three areas of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) -- had their own characteristics and the Government would seek co-operation opportunities to leverage Macao’s own advantages.

Ms Chan, who is on behalf of the Chief Executive Mr Chui Sai On, attended today’s plague-unveiling ceremony for the Guangdong FTZ at Nansha in Guangzhou, said that on the basis of strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong, Macao and the mainland, the Government would explore co-operation opportunities that would favour to turn Macao into “one centre and one platform”.

The “centre” and “platform” refer to a world centre of tourism and leisure, and a commercial and trade co-operation service platform between the mainland and the Portuguese-speaking countries.

She said the Government had completed the research on alternative dispute resolution and with the establishment of FTZ, the related work with Hengqin would be expedited.

During today’s ceremony, Ms Chan also officiated the presentation ceremony for the Hengqin Macao Youth Business Valley and presented a certificate to one of the first batch of enterprises setting up their business in the FTZ. After the ceremony, she toured the display boards to learn more of the latest developments of the FTZ.

The Guangdong FTZ covers three designated areas in Nansha, Qianhai and Hengqin, with the aim to take a leading position in the coming nationwide economic reform, a central hub of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and a pilot area for closer co-operation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.