Organized by the Protocol, Public Relations and External Affairs Office (“GPRPAE”), co-organized by the Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau (“DSEPDR”) of the Macao SAR, the “Symposium on Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area” (Session for Macao Consular Corps)(“Symposium”) was held today (June 6, 2019) at Macao Polytechnic Institute. A total of 36 consular officers from 28 countries attended the event.

Ms. Ada Lei Ut Mui, Director of GPRPAE welcomed the Consular Corps for attending the Symposium. Ms. Lei expressed that the Macao SAR has been maintaining good relationship with Macao Consular Corps, and added that the Symposium not only provides a platform for Consular Corps to explore the opportunities and challenges in Macao driven by the Outline Development Plan, but also creates constructive conditions to further expand international cooperation.

At the Symposium, keynote speakers Prof. Mi Jian, Director of DSEPDR, Mr. Peter Ung Hoi Ian and Ms. Lin Yuan, Deputy Directors of DSEPDR shared valuable experiences on the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area and the development opportunities in Macao, as well as exploring how Macao plays a unique role in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. After the Symposium, there was an exchange session where the Consular Corps and their representatives conducted in-depth exchanges with the speakers, including a series of opportunities and challenges for Macao opened up by the Greater Bay Area, as well as possibilities of regional cooperation.

In response to seizing the opportunities in Macao brought about by the Greater Bay Area development, Prof. Mi shared his insights on future developments in considering China’s 12th Five-year Plan and 13th Five-year Plan that has positioned the role of Macau in becoming a “World Tourism and Leisure Centre” and a “Service Platform for Business Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”. The Outline Development Plan marks a new milestone for Macao being the“One Centre, One Platform”, demonstrating four important missions for Macao: defining Macao as one of the four central cities among the Greater Bay Area development and the role of being the “core engine”; assigning Macao as a base for exchange and cooperation featuring Chinese culture and coexistence of diverse cultures; assuming the role of foundation of the “science and technology and innovation corridor” and being the main body of cooperation between the two poles — Macao and Zhuhai. The abovementioned outline and missions indicate the country’s trust and confidence in Macao, emphasizing great importance of Macao’s participation in the national development strategy, particularly ensuring Macao's position in the development of the Greater Bay Area.

On the same day, GPRPAE hosted a luncheon for visiting Consul Generals and Consular Corps representatives to further exchange views. Participants at the Symposium also included Ms. Jiang Xiaofan, Deputy Director of the Policy Research Department, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR and Ms. Gao Han, Third Secretary of the Consular Affairs Department, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR.