Stronger together, Zhuhai-Macao seize the moment

The Zhuhai-Macao Cooperation Conference 2017 on July 26 led to a formal combined effort supporting China's Belt & Road Initiative and trade with Portuguese-speaking countries.

Leong Vai Tac, secretary of Economy & Finance of Macao, said mutual development has already been seen since the previous session of the conference. Macao and Zhuhai will now jointly explore opportunities triggered by the Belt & Road Initiative, tap into markets of Portuguese-speaking countries, strengthen cooperation at the Hengqin FTZ, and bolster industrial and youth innovation while cooperating on entrepreneurship.

Zhuhai Mayor Li Zezhong pointed out the city's proximity to Macao and said that the two are pursuing cooperation in all sectors. Accelerated construction of the Belt & Road, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone Hengqin Area, and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge all contribute to bringing new cooperation room for the two areas.

Cultural exchange agreed at Zhuhai-Macao conference [Photo courtesy cri.cn]

Li said that the two would advance participation in the Belt & Road Initiative, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hengqin Pilot Free Trade Zone, cross-border infrastructure and customs convenience, finance-focused industrial matters, social and livelihood sectors, and communication mechanisms. Both areas should promote broader breakthroughs in terms of cooperation, he stated.

The conference in Macao also saw the signing of four key agreements that are projected to reinforce cooperation on tourism, sports, cultural exchanges, and statistical services.

Also attending the conference were Liu Bin, director of Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; and Huang Duanlian, deputy director general of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province.