The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) pays great attention to cooperation with the nation of Hungary, noting that boosting tourism and cultural exchanges would bring further benefits to the two sides.

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, made the remarks on Friday (9 June) during a meeting with the visiting Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, Mr László Kövér, at Santa Sancha, the official premises where the Chief Executive receives guests,

Macao could take advantage of its bridging functions to help Hungarian products enter the mainland market, said Mr Chui. He hoped the visit of Mr Kövér would help initiate discussions and develop close contact with relevant departments in Macao, added Mr Chui.

The Macao SAR Government would work in line with the Central Government’s foreign affairs strategies in order proactively to press ahead on cooperation with Hungary, said Mr Chui.

Mr Chui also gave a briefing during the occasion on some of Macao’s latest developments. Following the direction of the Central Government, Macao had been pushing forward the development of a world centre of tourism and leisure and a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policy).

The SAR Government was working diligently to integrate the city’s first Five-Year Development Plan with the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan, so as to press ahead with regional cooperation and seize further opportunities from the country’s development, in pursuit of Macao’s long-term sustainability.

Mr Chui said that since Macao’s return to the motherland in 1999, the SAR had had recognisable achievements in relation to economic development and enhancing social well-being, with strong support from the Central Government.

During the meeting, Mr Kövér said the Macao SAR could play an important role in China-Hungary ties. Under the existing cooperation between China and Hungary, Hungary and Macao could strengthen exchanges and cooperation in economic and trade matters, logistics, cultural affairs and tourism.

Hungary also hoped to bring its products into China by taking advantage of Macao’s platform role, added Mr Kövér.

Mr Kövér noted Macao was the final official stop during his visit to China. China and Hungary had developed a close and friendly relationship, in particular strong connections in economic and trade matters, tourism, education and people-to-people exchanges.

Hungary would seek further cooperation with China via the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road (known as the “Belt and Road” initiative), said Mr Kövér.

Macao officials attending Friday’s meeting included the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Director of the Government Information Office, Mr Chan Chi Ping; and the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Mr Fung Sio Weng.

Also present at the meeting were: the wife of the Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, Ms Mária Bekk; the Consul General of the Consulate General of Hungary to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr Pál Kertész; and the deputy to the Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, Ms Márta Mátrai.