Chief Executive | Demarcation of coastal zone significant for diversified growth

A draft map demarcating the MSAR’s revised maritime and land zones reflects the central government’s support for Macau, according to Chui Sai On.
Xinhua news agency reported that the chief executive spoke highly of the draft map that was passed by China’s State Council on Wednesday, which demarcated the coastal waters that will be under local jurisdiction. The CE noted that the introduction of this policy, which was first announced by the Chinese president Xi Jinping when he visited Macau one year ago, is of great significance in helping Macau diversify its local economy.
According to the draft, an area of 85 square kilometers of sea to the east and south of Macau will be managed by the MSAR. The buildings at border control are also included within Macau’s administration.
Chui said the move will help improve Macau’s rule of law, as well as benefiting the region’s full and accurate implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle and the Basic Law of the Macau SAR.
This will also expand the space for Macau’s development, and accelerate the appropriate diversification and sustainable development of the local economy, Chui said in a written statement on Wednesday.
Demarcation of Macau’s customary waters is expected to boost cooperation between Macau and neighboring regions of Guangdong and Hong Kong. At the same time, he added that it will lay a solid foundation for Macau to improve the well-being of its local population.
The change will facilitate cooperation between Macau and neighboring regions in the development of a marine economy, Chui mentioned in the statement. He also noted that the MSAR is willing to provide more assistance to promote in-depth exchanges and cooperation between Macau and the mainland. MDT/Agencies

maritime patrol expanded

The Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, who is also the interim director general of the Macau Customs Service, said that the local authorities plan to acquire several patrol boats and expand the maritime patrol team to 190 people. According to the director of the Cartography and Cadaster Bureau, Cheong Sio Kei, the demarcation of Macau’s maritime and land zones will ease environmental management near the Duck Channel (Canal dos Patos), a waterway between Macau and the neighboring city of Zhuhai.