The latest Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference has endorsed a total of nine agreements covering the next phase of collaboration between the two places, and their efforts to press ahead with goals envisaged under the outline development plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area).
The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, and the Governor of Guangdong, Mr Ma Xingrui, led respective governmental delegations at today’s meeting, held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome.
The key areas for cooperation are included in the “Major Tasks in 2019 for Implementing the Framework Agreement on Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao”, signed today.
The other eight agreements cover topics including: Macao-Zhuhai cooperation; a subsidy scheme for science and technology projects; forestry development cooperation; health cooperation; youth exchanges; census cooperation; construction of sluices at Macao's Inner Harbour; and intellectual property.
Under the documents signed today, the two places agreed to: optimise respective systematic mechanisms for advancing the Greater Bay Area; create a greater number of routes for cooperation to enable Guangdong to assist in Macao’s efforts at achieving adequate economic diversification; and offer further support for advances in the science and technology sector and other innovation-linked industries in order to develop the Greater Bay Area as an international science and technology hub.
In his opening remarks delivered at the meeting, the Chief Executive expressed his confidence that there would be steady progress regarding Guangdong-Macao ties, due to concerted effort from both sides in the pursuit of goals relating to major national development strategies.
He added that this Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference – being held at a critical time after the publication of the outline development plan for Greater Bay Area – illustrated the dedication of both sides to intensifying Guangdong-Macao ties.
In his address, Mr Chui mentioned Macao’s effort to press ahead in a steady way, regarding cooperation relating to investment zones in Guangdong Province, such as Hengqin in Zhuhai, Cuiheng in Zhongshan, Nansha in Guangzhou, and Daguang Bay in Jiangmen.
The cooperation efforts included greater support for young people to establish innovation-driven projects and businesses; as well as support for technological innovation in general. Collaboration also sought to diversify existing cooperation and foster the stability and prosperity of the two places.
Speaking in today’s meeting, Governor Ma said the Greater Bay Area created a significant opportunity for Guangdong-Macao cooperation in a new era.
Mr Ma added that under the city-cluster initiative, the two sides were achieving closer economic and trade ties; were deepening liberalisation of trade in services; and were enhancing cooperation platforms and advancement efforts regarding a number of infrastructure projects. All these efforts were taking bilateral ties along a practical and effective path.
Following the meeting, the Director of the Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mr Mi Jian, met the media to provide further details regarding what had been achieved.
Both sides had made breakthroughs in terms of cooperation models, Mr Mi told reporters. The five-square-kilometre Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Industrial Park – located on Hengqin island in Zhuhai – would have 2.57 km2 set aside for Macao-led projects, under the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration.
Mr Mi also gave an update on infrastructure projects for improving connectivity between Macao and other Greater Bay Area cities. Macao and Guangdong would strive to complete construction of the new Guangdong-Macao boundary crossing checkpoint, in order to enable passenger clearance by year-end. In addition, the Central Government had granted approval in principle to a proposal for relocation of the Lotus Flower Bridge Checkpoint linking Cotai and Hengqin.
The Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Joint Conference mechanism was established in 2003. Meetings are convened and chaired jointly by the Chief Executive of Macao and the Governor of Guangdong. The Joint Conference meetings are scheduled to be held once a year for discussions on the direction for cooperation and regarding major projects. The two places host such meetings in turn.
