The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today said a new agreement signed in Beijing paved a clear path for Macao’s contribution to the “Belt and Road” initiative and provided new impetus for the city’s economic development.

The Government would spare no effort, under the guidance of the Central Government, in advancing cooperation with Guangdong Province and Fujian Province – concerning joint contributions to the “Belt and Road” initiative  – while also encouraging further involvement from Portuguese-speaking countries regarding “Belt and Road”.

Mr Chui made the remarks during a meeting in the capital with the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr He Lifeng.

The two officials met prior to signing the “Arrangement between the National Development and Reform Commission and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region for Advancing Macao’s Full Participation in and Contribution to the Belt and Road Initiative”.

Noting the year 2018 marked the 40th anniversary of the country’s reform and opening up policies, as well as the fifth anniversary of the “Belt and Road” initiative, Mr Chui said the “Belt and Road” initiative provided Macao with opportunities to contribute its inherent strengths to that national effort, and to increase the city’s international standing.

During the meeting, the Chief Executive briefed Mr He on Macao’s ongoing efforts to align with the overall policy deployment of the Central Government and engage proactively in the country’s overall development.

The city’s first Five-Year Development Plan, announced in 2016, had outlined a number of major initiatives. They were aimed at ensuring Macao’s strategic roles – as a world centre of tourism and leisure, and as a commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, collectively known as the “Centre and Platform” policies – complemented the overall development of the country’s “Belt and Road” initiative.

Since its establishment, the Macao SAR had been adhering to the principles of “One country, two systems”; “Macao people governing Macao”; and “a high degree of autonomy”, said Mr Chui. The SAR Government had been closely observing the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of Macao, he added.

In his remarks, Mr Chui also expressed his gratitude for the Central Government’s support and guidance regarding Macao’s involvement in the “Belt and Road” initiative, and the National Development and Reform Commission’s effort in drafting the Arrangement and organising the signing ceremony.

Chairman He said the Arrangement clarified Macao’s position and role in propelling development of the “Belt and Road” initiative. He added Portuguese-speaking countries covered a large population; Macao’s close ties with those countries facilitated advancing the “Belt and Road” initiative.

Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Huang Liuquan, joined today’s meeting.

Macao officials attending the meeting at the National Development and Reform Commission included members of Macao’s Working Committee for the Development of “Belt and Road” Initiative. They were: the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the Government Spokesperson and Director of the Government Information Bureau, Mr Chan Chi Ping; the Director of the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office, Ms Lei Ut Mui; and the Director of the Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau, Mr Mi Jian.

Officials representing respectively the Monetary Authority of Macao, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, the Macao Government Tourism Office, and the Cultural Affairs Bureau also joined the meeting.