Event on sea areas highlights three main tasks for Macau

The “Macao International Conference on Marine Administration, Utilization and Development” held on August 3 and 4 in Macau, addressed several topics regarding the new maritime area managed by the MSAR and highlighted three main tasks that the region must address when dealing with such a topic.

It has been two years since the assignment of new maritime area by the Central Government to the MSAR. The government has been establishing the main guidelines for use of the new area.

According to a statement issued by the Policy Research Office, “the planning and good usage of the 85 square kilometers of maritime area is a relevant role of Macau on the contruction of the Greater Bay.”  Local authorities are expected to perform three main tasks: namely to emphasize the protection of the marine biodiversity, to perform scientific planning for reasonable use of the areas, and to reinforce maritime intercommunication and co- operation with neighboring regions for proper use of the sea and its resources.

In the opening speech of the conference, the Chief Executive, Chui Sai On, said that the new maritime areas provide new conditions and opportunities to open Macau to the sea, also creating new option for the diversification of the local economy.

“Macau should have as its starting line the blue ocean and the economy of the Greater Bay Area, seizing the opportunities, planning scientifically and promoting the construction and development of the International Tourism and Leisure Center.”

Regarding the same opportunity, the director of the Liaison Office in Macau, Zheng Xiaosong, noted that since the handover of Macau, the Central Government has been supporting Macau, adding that President Xi Jinping greatly values and supports the diversified and moderate development of Macau’s economy.
In light of this premise comes the authorization of Macau to rule and manage maritime areas, “a valuable gift that translates the support of the Central Government to the long-term development of Macau,” Zheng highlighted.

The deputy director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Huang Liuquan, has noted that the Macau government should always ensure the management of the sea areas as well as land areas, carrying out good development planning for the maritime areas of ​​Macau based on prospective thinking; keep in mind the idea of ​​community building, allowing the whole population to benefit from the profits that will rise from the development of the maritime areas; and lastly, to have a clear awareness of the mutual benefits and gains from the promotion of the development of both Macau and the mainland in a co-operative way. RM

‘Now is the time to think of new directions’

On the sidelines of the event, Yue-man Yeung, Emeritus Professor of Geography of the Chinese University of Hong Kong said that “Macau [SAR] did well in the first [almost] 20 years of existence, but now is the time to think of new directions,” Radio Macau reported.

At the conference, the scholar noted that it is now time for Macau to look out for its own needs, leaving the gaming industry aside, drawing attention to the discussion on the new maritime areas.

According to Yeung, “diversifying is something we always strive for. If there is capacity and land, I think the government can make more efforts. It should listen to the population,” adding, “the first 20 years have passed and Macau has done very well. Better than Hong Kong, actually.” He also noted that although Macau should be proud of its achievements, efforts cannot end now. “The world is evolving and we must capitalize on what we have and [not] just invest in more gaming,” he said, noting that in order to properly develop new areas, Macau should seek “specialized advice” in order to “seize this opportunity.”