The government has established a commission to coordinate the management and development of the maritime area that is now under the administration of the MSAR.
“The Commission for the Coordination in the Management and Development of the Maritime Area,” supervised by Chief Executive Chui Sai On, aims to spearhead the marine development of the 85 square kilometers of water demarcated by the PRC’s State Council, according to the Government Information Bureau (GCS).
“The government is pay[ing] great attention to the management of the maritime area [… and] is also drafting a framework law on maritime management, in order to strengthen administration of those waters,” read a statement from GCS.
Last year, the government issued three regulations in support of the administration of the maritime boundary: a regulation specifying immigration clearance procedures for crew members on vessels, a regulation on marine waste-dumping and lastly, amendments to the articles of the Marine and Water Bureau.
An agreement was also signed with mainland counterpart authorities, as part of an on-going effort to improve coordination between the different entities.
China’s State Council has also approved a new administrative division map for the MSAR, adds the statement. According to this map, the aforementioned 85 square kilometers of water, as well as an area of land where the Border Gate connects the MSAR with Zhuhai, will be placed under Macau’s jurisdiction.
The expansion of Macau’s waters will allow for the future development of the city’s waterfront area and may also boost Macau’s maritime economy and tourism opportunities. It may also simplify procedures for land reclamation projects, as the local government will now be able to manage and administer the area.
The increase in area under local jurisdiction represents almost a tripling of the previous area of just 30 square kilometers.
New commission established for marine development
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Macau
Can we embrace the rich maritime history and importance of Macau? Rather than just another Chinese branded city, Macau should promote this rich Maritime history. Surely the Chinese government are not so immature to dismiss the great contribution of Macau as a trading port to the Pearl River Delta, for fear of praising The Portugese maritime supremacy of that era. I am not portugese but i respect the fearless endevours of these early sailors.
On a parrellel note, for such a historic geat sailing port it is an embarrassment that we do not have an adequate marina. The inner harbour marina is too small, crowded, dirty and plagued with mismanagement constraints. Marine tourism could be another diversification tool, Hong Kong is overcrowded with boats and Macau would make a convenient and cost effective alternative.