The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said the Government was confident that – with support of the Guangdong Government – a proposed scheme to enable pleasure craft to travel between Macao and Guangdong Province would be ready this year.

Mr Chui’s comments were made in Beijing during a meeting with the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Hu Chunhua, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Zhu Xiaodan.

Mr Chui was in Beijing to attend today’s opening of the 4th Session of the 12th National People's Congress. He will conclude his four-day visit to Beijing tomorrow.

During the meeting, Mr Chui told Mr Hu that the Government would take into consideration the overall development of the Pearl River area when drafting a plan for Macao’s maritime economy.

The newly demarcated area of 85 square kilometres of maritime waters to be administered by Macao – following a December decision of the State Council – would be a driving force for greater cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, Mr Chui said. Broadening and strengthening the partnership with Guangdong would help diversify Macao’s economy and contribute to the city’s sustainable development.

Mr Chui sincerely thanked the support and cooperation of the Guangdong Government over the past year, especially during the process of demarcating Macao’s new maritime boundaries.

Reviewing the achievements of the Guangdong-Macao cooperation last year, Mr Chui stated both governments had continued working towards the mid- and long-term development goals outlined in the Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, and the goals set out within the framework of the Guangdong-Macao Co-operation Joint Conference.

Over the past year, the Macao Government strived to boost ties with Hengqin in Zhuhai Prefecture, Nansha in Guangzhou Prefecture, and Cuiheng in Zhongshan Prefecture. Several cooperation projects were successfully initiated, with assistance from the Guangdong Government.

Mr Hu said he was pleased to meet the Macao Government delegation in Beijing. He also thanked the Macao Government for supporting the economic and social development of Guangdong.

Other Macao Government officials attending the meeting included: the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Leong Vai Tac; the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Iao Lek; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng; and the Consultant of the Chief Executive’s Office, Mr Kou Chin Hung.

Other representatives of the Guangdong Government at the meeting included: the Vice Governor, Mr He Zhongyou; and the Director-General of the Guangdong Development and Reform Commission, Mr He Ningka.

On Friday (4 March), Mr Chui met in Beijing with State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Mr Guo Shengkun. They exchanged views on how to maintain Macao’s prosperity and strengthen bilateral ties.

Mr Chui said there was already a well-established cooperation mechanism between the Ministry and the Government. He added the mechanism had allowed for effective enforcement of the rule of law, promoting a safe environment in Macao for both residents and visitors.

Mr Chui also briefed officials attending the meeting on Macao’s latest developments. He said that, during the ongoing adjustment period in the city’s gaming industry, the Government would step up efforts to maintain Macao’s social stability. These efforts included a closer cooperation with the Ministry, Mr Chui stated.

The Government was confident about Macao’s development outlook, given that the city’s sound fiscal reserve system allowed local authorities to cope well with potential challenges, Mr Chui said, adding that the Government would continue to promote economic diversification.

Mr Guo said that maintaining Macao’s long-term stability was part of the duties of his Ministry. Mainland police and its Macao counterparts would continue to improve communication, in a bid to ensure national public order while respecting the principle of “One country, two systems”.

The Vice Minister of Public Security, Mr Chen Zhimin, and Macao officials Mr Wong Sio Chak, Mr Vong Iao Lek and Ms O Lam also attended the meeting.