A Macao exhibition area at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) has been receiving many visitors wishing to gain fresh insights regarding Macao’s role as an important gateway between China and the rest of the world.　

The “Macao Hub” exhibition is in the China section of CIIE’s “Country Pavilion for Trade and Investment” at the Shanghai event.

Macao’s participation in CIIE, the world's first import-themed national-level expo, helps showcase the Special Administrative Region’s latest progress. That relates in particular to Macao’s strides towards its strategic goals of being 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” policies).

Macao Hub is organised by the Government Information Bureau. It covers 126 square metres at the Expo, and is divided into three sections: “Linking the East and the West”; “One Country, Two Systems”; and “Entering China and the ‘Belt and Road’ via Macao”.

A major highlight of the Macao Hub exhibition area is a scale model of one of Macao’s historic landmarks, the Ruins of St Paul’s. The model is located at the Macao exhibition area entrance. Its presence at Macao Hub highlights the fact the Ruins of St Paul’s have witnessed many changes in Macao, as the city has grown as a trade hub over several centuries and subsequently developed its “Centre and Platform” role.  

Macao Hub features photographs, text, videos and multimedia materials, in order to tell the story of how Macao developed from a fishing village in the 16th century to an international commercial centre where East meets West.

Since reunification with the motherland in 1999, Macao has been fully supported by the Central People’s Government regarding local efforts to seize opportunities arising from the advantages linked to – and policies arising from – the “One country, two systems” concept. Such local efforts include developing Macao as a “Centre and Platform”, integrated into the overall national development plan, and to ensure Macao continues to play a role as an important gateway between China and the rest of the world.　

After CIIE was opened on Monday (5 November), President Xi Jinping and other guests toured the Expo. President Xi visited the Macao Hub exhibition area, and was briefed by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, regarding Macao’s progress.

The China International Import Expo is being held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai until November 10. The Country Pavilion for Trade and Investment is showcasing – at an aggregate of 71 booths across 30,000 square metres – a total of 82 countries and three international organisations, regarding their achievements in economic and trade development, and their creation of internationally-competitive products.