Chui Sai On shakes hands with the mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Xu Qin
The development of the “Dawan area” – a logistics hub in the coastal areas covering Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau – and the strengthening of cooperation on tourism are two major bilateral agreements between Macau and Shenzhen set for the coming year, according to the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong.
The secretary was speaking to reporters yesterday in Shenzhen following the Shenzhen-Macau Cooperation Conference 2015. The annual event was chaired by the Chief Executive, Chui Sai On, and the mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Xu Qin.
Before the press briefing, Mr Chui and Mr Xu witnessed the signing of a memorandum on promoting development of the “Dawan area” and the signing of a bilateral memorandum on tourism.
According to the Government Information Bureau, the next milestone in bilateral cooperation is advancing regional cooperation via policies favoring the FTZ in the Qianhai-
Shekou Area (Shenzhen). Lionel Leong said that it is a major opportunity for bilateral cooperation between young entrepreneurs. He added that his team was analysing the measures that would be needed in order to support local youngsters in extending their activities to the three Free Trade Zones in Guangdong – Qianhai-Shekou, Hengqin, and Nansha.
Mr Xu also attended the press briefing. He said Shenzhen welcomed more Macau businesses – in fields such as finance, logistics, legal services, accounting, and architecture – to set up operations in Qianhai, a move that would
further liberalise trade in services between Guangdong and the MSAR.
The Shenzhen government would also continue to optimize platforms and mechanisms for cooperation on education, culture, tourism, environmental protection, and inspection and quarantine procedures, added Mr Xu.
Later in the evening, the Chief Executive had a meeting with the Secretary of Shenzhen’s CPC Municipal Committee, Mr Ma Xingrui.
Mr Chui told Mr Ma that the two memoranda signed yesterday would bring bilateral cooperation to a higher level. Macau would make use of its special advantages in the fields of tourism and culture in order to help create fresh opportunities for the country as a whole, he added.
