The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, met with delegates from 20 cities of neighboring countries and the Chinese mainland participating in the 5th Mayors’ Visiting Program this morning.

The Mayors’ Visiting Program was co-organised by the Macao SAR Government and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR.

Addressing the delegates this morning, the Chief Executive said that Macao would continue to encourage government and business exchanges, and open up opportunities for ASEAN countries and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

He added that the announcement of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area marked a new milestone, in which Macao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong shall serve as the core engine for regional development

For her part, the Commissioner of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Ms. Shen Beili, said that she hoped the Mayors’ Visiting Program could further promote cooperation in trade, tourism and culture between Macao and neighbouring regions.

Mr. Vidong Sayasone, Secretary of the Provincial Committee and Governor of Vientiane Province of Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Mr Ding Chun, Mayor of Changzhou, addressed the gathering on behalf of the delegates participating in this year’s event.

Delegates from ASEAN countries include: Mr. Yun Min, Governor of Preah Sihanouk Province of the Kingdom of Cambodia; Mr. Lai Thanh Son, Executive Vice Chairman of the Bac Giang Province of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; Mr. Prakob Wongmaneerung, Vice Governor of Phuket Province of Thailand; Mr. Misle bin Haji Abd Karim, Brunei Muara District Officer of Ministry of Home Affairs of Brunei Darussalam; Mr. Jesry T. Palmares, Mayor of Passi City of the Republic of the Philippines; Mr. Untara, Acting Secretary of Surakarta of the Republic of Indonesia; and Mr. Mohamed Nazam bin Harun, Director of Arts, Tourism and Sports of Malaysia.

Delegates from mainland China include: Mayor of Zhuhai, Mr Yao Yi; Mayor of Zhongshan, Mr Wei Weihan; Mayor of Zhaoqing, Mr Fan Zhongjie; Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, Ms Li Ming; Vice Mayor of Chengdu, Ms Jing Jing; Mayor of Shenzhen, Ms Wu Yihuan; Vice Mayor of Dongguan, mr Zhang Guanzi; Vice Mayor of Foshan, Ms Tan Ping; Mayor of Huizhou, Mr Yu Jinfu; Vice Mayor of Jiangmen, Mr Liang Xuzhan; and Vice Mayor of Qinhuangdao, Mr Feng Zhiyong.