CE meets Fujian leaders for cooperation in ‘Belt and Road’

Upon arrival in Fuzhou, Chui Sai On and Lionel Leong meet with the Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, You Quan (3rd right), and the Governor, Su Shulin (4th right)

The Chief Executive Chui Sai On led a delegation to Fuzhou city yesterday to attend a high-level meeting with Fujian’s provincial leaders. Before departing, Chui said that the meeting would explore the future of the two territories’ further cooperation, drawing particular attention to their participation in the nation’s “Belt and Road Initiatives.”
Chui told the media that Macau and Fujian Province have remained in close contact and both governments have agreed on a need to hold a high-level meeting in recent days “to review the solid foundations of bilateral cooperation, and to look into the future of further steps, including actively joining in the country’s building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.”
During the meeting with Fujian’s Provincial Party Committee Secretary, You Quan, and Governor Su Shulin yesterday, Chui pledged to strengthen Macau’s regional cooperation with Fujian and in the Pan-
Pearl River Delta.
He stressed that the “Matsu Culture” (which the two territories share) could be the driving force behind their participation in the “Belt and Road Initiatives.” He said the delegation also hoped to draw on experience from Fujian in terms of developing free trade zones, and that Macau is very willing to capitalize on its position as an intermediary between Sino-
Luso countries for Fujian.
You Quan also recognized Macau and Fujian’s historical roots and their complementarity in long-term development. He revealed that a liaison mechanism has been set up between Fujian’s Vice Governor, Zheng Xiaosong, and Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong, who are in charge of bilateral cooperation affairs. The two officials will hold periodic cooperation meetings.
As the inauguration of Guangdong’s pilot free trade zone in Nansha District will coincide with the Fuzhou meeting, the CE has appointed the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Sonia Chan, to represent MSAR in Nansha today.

Pandas and flights

Before his departure yesterday afternoon, Chui Sai On also responded to media enquiries, among which include the naming of Macau’s new pair of pandas and the recent stagnation of flights to Macau due to inclement weather.
As some argued that naming the new pair of pandas after the deceased Xin Xin and departing Kai Kai shows a lack of respect to life, Chui responded that he “hopes Macau citizens would feel happy [regarding the names] when they see Kai Kai and Xin Xin again.” As for the incident where Macau-bound flights were diverted to nearby airports, Chui said the primary goal was to ensure safety, and that the airport operator has since conducted a review in order to provide better services to the affected passengers.