Commissioner wants Macau to join ‘Belt and Road Initiatives’

Hu Zhengyue

Macau should take full advantage of the country’s diplomatic resources, especially to grasp the opportunities brought by the national strategy of implementing the “Belt and Road Initiatives,” explained the Commissioner of the PRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macau, Hu Zhengyue.
Chief Executive Chui Sai On has recently expressed Macau’s intention to join the Initiatives, which aim to strengthen regional co-­operation by developing the “Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.” In response, Hu made assurances that Macau’s attempt to participate would certainly be backed by the whole country and the Central Government.
“The Belt and Road involve a total of 68 countries and regions. The Belt mainly runs in a Europe direction; and the Road mainly faces Southeast Asia. Speaking of Southeast Asia, that’s where Macau’s advantages stand out,” he told reporters yesterday on the sidelines of a spring tea gathering that was hosted for media at the Commissioner’s Office.
“I hope Macau can do more on that. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Government will back it with full support,” he assured.
The Commissioner said that China is determined to carry out the Belt and Road Initiatives, and will release a specific plan within a few days. “There will be a chapter dedicated to Hong Kong and Macau in the strategy,” he revealed, adding that a very comprehensive elaboration will be presented at the upcoming Boao Forum for Asia.
Mr Hu also stressed that Macau has the financial resources, connections and advantages to play a role in the Initiatives, and it shouldn’t miss out on the opportune moment, if it is to grow bigger and diversify its economy.
“Macau has the right conditions over all aspects to go global and to join in on regional cooperation. [The SAR] should make good use of the country’s diplomatic resources and the opportunities brought by the strategic process of the country’s foreign co-­operation,” he said. “I think Macau can not only do this, but should also be [encouraged by] the Belt and Road Initiatives. The country will also provide strong support and create various conditions for [Macau’s implementation of the initiatives].” BY