CE meets with top think tank on NPC sidelines

He Lifeng (left) and Chui Sai On

Chief Executive Chui Sai On yesterday met with one of China’s top think tanks in a sidelines meeting from his trip to Beijing for the opening of the National People’s Congress. He discussed with the National Development and Reform Commission several ideas over how to expedite the territory’s economic development.

In particular, he asked for advice on the city’s Five-Year Development Plan, its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and how the MSAR can best utilize the new waters granted to it by the Central Government, otherwise known as the “Medium-to-long-term Plan for the Usage and Development of the Waters of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2016-2036)”.

The plan proposes a studied approach regarding the usage and development of 85 square kilometers of additional waters surrounding Macau that are under the SAR Government’s administration. It states that development should meet the following principles: foster diversification of the city’s economy; serve the public interest; and improve people’s quality of life.

The Commission’s Chairman, He Lifeng, expressed his support for Macau’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, and for the local government’s efforts to integrate Macau’s development with overall national development as outlined in the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

He said the Commission would endeavor to continue working to support Macau’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative.

In addition, Chui pledged to continually improve the well- being of Macau residents.

“The Macau SAR government will continue to ensure diverse economic development and keep improving the well-being of Macau residents. This is the principle of development for us,” he said, as cited by public broadcaster TDM. “We hope you will give us guidance and support for both our short-term and long-term goals.”

Chinese medicine key to economic diversification

TRADITIONAL CHINESE medicine (TCM) was a major emerging industry in Macau and key to propelling the city’s economic diversification, Chui Sai On said yesterday. The CE made the comments during a meeting in Beijing with the Minister of the China Food and Drug Administration, Bi Jingquan. The meeting was aimed at exploring views on the development of Macau’s Chinese medicine sector.