The Jiangsu-Macao Cooperation Park is a crucial initiative for Macao to advance its adequate economic diversification, and for the city to achieve sustainable development in the long run.

The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government is looking forward to approval from the Central Government for commencement of work relating to the Cooperation Park.

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, made the remarks today during a meeting with the Governor of Jiangsu Province, Mr Wu Zhenglong, held at Nanjing, Jiangsu.

Mr Chui has been on a two-day visit to Jiangsu in order to bolster communication with Jiangsu officials regarding the Cooperation Park’s next phase of development and with the aim of selecting a site for construction of the Cooperation Park.

During the meeting, Mr Chui noted the SAR Government was paying great attention to formulation of a master plan on the Jiangsu-Macao Cooperation Park, in particular further detail concerning five platform roles mentioned by Premier Li Keqiang regarding the Cooperation Park project during a 2017 meeting held in Beijing.

Governor Wu mentioned the five platform roles of the Cooperation Park were designed to support: Macao’s integration into the country’s overall development while achieving the city’s adequate economic diversification; comprehensive cooperation between Macao and Jiangsu; undertaking of projects jointly commissioned by China and Portuguese-speaking countries; encouragement of a greater number of innovative projects and business start-ups by Macao young people; and facilitation of training for young civil servants from either Macao or Jiangsu.

Regarding strengthening of cooperation in other areas, Mr Chui underscored the importance on creating more favourable circumstances for Macao young people to have opportunities to study, work and start a business in Jiangsu.

Speaking in the meeting, Governor Wu reviewed the progress of the Cooperation Park initiative, from initial planning to the signing in 2016 of the memorandum of understanding on building the Cooperation Park. 

Besides the five platform roles, Mr Wu suggested the Cooperation Park could incorporate facilities for development of financial services and healthcare services for the elderly.

The Governor added he considered there was great potential for cooperation between Macao and Jiangsu, and recommended that the two places make use of their respective strengths in developing the Cooperation Park.

Macao officials attending the meeting were: the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; the 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.

Jiangsu officials joining the meeting included: Vice Governor, Mr Guo Yuanqiang, and Deputy Secretary General of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, Mr Huang Wei.