The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, has met with officials in Beijing to exchange views on the optimisation of boundary-crossing measures and Macao’s jurisdiction over its “customary waters”.

In the meeting on 17 June with the Minister of the General Administration of China Customs, Mr Yu Guangzhou, Mr Chui said he hoped to broaden the common consensus on the optimisation of the boundary-crossing model and the reform on boundary checkpoints.

Mr Yu said he had several meetings with Mr Chui to explore ways to strengthen co-operation in economic development.

Following the meeting, Mr Chui met with the Director of the State Oceanic Administration, Mr Wang Hong, to exchange views on topic of common interests, especially how Macao could contribute in the national development strategy “Belt and Road”, which refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

The Government has started the work on defining its “customary waters” with the Administration, in line with the suggestion of the Central Government.

Mr Chui thanked the Administration for its support over the years, especially on the work of the five reclamation of land approved by the Central Government, and the development of the mass transit railway in Macao, as the project required the Administration’s advice on reclaiming two acres of land from the sea.

Officials accompanying Mr Chui in the meetings included the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng.

Officials who were also present included Vice Minister of the General Administration of China Customs Mr Lu Bin, Chief of the for National Border Checkpoints Mr Huang Shengqiang and Head of the Office Mr Zhang Guangzhi, together with Deputy Director of the State Oceanic Administration Mr Zhang Hongsheng and Head of the Office Mr Shi Qingfeng.