Macao would work closer with Zhuhai to establish a management body for the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone planned in the island of Hengqin, said the Chief Executive, Mr Ho Iat Seng.
Measures adopted in Hainan Province for its free-trade port development would be a useful reference for the Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, added Mr Ho, who visited Hainan last week.
Mr Ho made the remarks in a meeting on Tuesday (22 September) with the Secretary of the Zhuhai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mr Guo Yonghang, and Mayor of Zhuhai, Mr Yao Yisheng.
During the meeting held at the Government Headquarters, the two sides reviewed progress and achievements in relation to development of the Intensive Cooperation Zone and discussed details for future cooperation.
The Chief Executive named several industries with a promising outlook for the Intensive Cooperation Zone, such as specialised financial services, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) sector, traditional Chinese medicine, and cross-boundary e-commerce.
The Intensive Cooperation Zone initiative was a favourable policy put forward by the Centre Government designed for Macao and Zhuhai and a crucial step to support Macao’s economic diversification effort, Mr Ho said. He called for further innovative and pragmatic effort to complement bilateral resources for the advancement of the Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Speaking in the meeting, Secretary Guo said Zhuhai devoted further effort to press ahead with the Intensive Cooperation Zone development, which was in line with President Xi Jinping’s instructions to usher fresh dynamics into Macao’s long-term development and greater contributions to the “One country, two systems” principle.
He mentioned more effort should be made to explore an innovative management model for Guangdong-Macao cooperation and to build a mechanism in the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration.
Macao officials attending the meeting included: the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Lei Wai Nong; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Hoi Lai Fong; and the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Ms Ku Mei Leng.
Deputy Secretary of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee, Mr Zhao Jianguo; member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee and Secretary-General of the CPC Zhuhai Municipal Committee, Mr Wu Shi; and Vice Mayor of Zhuhai, Mr Hu Xintian, were present at the meeting in Macao.
