CE Leads Delegation to Cambodia and Thailand

Macao SAR Chief Executive (CE) Chui Sai On led a delegation on an official visit to Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, and Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, from 7^th to 11^th May. The delegation - which met with leaders and high officials of both countries - held a series of events during the visit, which Chiu summarised as fruitful and satisfactory. He noted that the visit enhanced Macao's unique advantages as part of the 'Belt and Road' initiative, and contributed to further advancing the city's diversified economic development.

Direct flights between Macao and Cambodia

During his visit to Cambodia, the CE met with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen; the President of the Senate of Cambodia, Say Chhum; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of Cambodia, Sar Kheng; the President of the National Assembly, Heng Samrin; and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Cambodia, Xiong Bo.

He also signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding between the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of the Kingdom of Cambodia on Co-operation Framework for Promotion of Friendship' with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn.

Chiu mentioned while meeting with Hun Sen that Macao will actively study the potential launch of further direct flights between Macao and Cambodia, as well as further co-operation on tourism management and training. Positioning itself as a world centre of tourism and leisure, Macao will help reinforce tourism co-operation between the two parties, while Cambodia can look forward to learning from Macao's experience in tourism development, and welcome visitors from China and Macao.

Co-operation opportunities for Macao and Thailand

Chui and the delegation then visited Bangkok, meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayuth Chan-ocha; Deputy Prime Minister, Somkid Jatusripitak; plus Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China of Thailand, Lyu Jian, and other senior officials.

The CE also inked the 'Memorandum of Understanding of the Establishment of a Friendship City between Phuket Province of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China' with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Don Pramudwinai.

Chiu remarked while meeting with Prayuth Chan-ocha on 10^th May that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area Planning and Development Outlook would soon be launched, the Macao SAR is actively participating in the Bay Area development, and that he wished to strengthen the connection between Macao and Thailand regarding tourism, culture, trade and financial exchange.

Prayuth Chan-ocha responded that Macao had recorded over 30 million visitors last year, with about 200 thousand coming from Thailand, and that some 80 thousand [local residents] from Macao had visited Thailand in 2017, reflecting the potential for co-operation on tourism. Meanwhile, Macao - as one of the Creative Cities of Gastronomy - and Thailand could further co-operate in the field of gastronomy and fashion as well as the creative, service, and hotel industries.

CE: Visit to Cambodia and Thailand very productive

Chui said the visit to Cambodia and Thailand by the delegation had been productive and fruitful, particularly in four respects; namely, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to promote friendly co-operation with Cambodia and Thailand, and further enhance co-operation between Macao and both countries; both countries confirmed the achievements made by the Macao SAR in the field of tourism and trade; Macao would continue to enhance the advantages of 'Centre and Platform' policies; facilitating development of the 'Belt and Road' initiative, making use of the city's extensive networks of returned overseas Chinese; and the boosting of Macao's efforts to diversify its economy, promoting bilateral co-operation in tourism, economic and trade matters, cultural affairs, human resource training, heritage conservation, and so forth.

The Secretary for Administration and Justice, Chan Hoi Fan, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Leong Vai Tac, and the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, plus all members of the Executive Council participated in the delegation. Local returned overseas Chinese, youth representatives and members of the 'Gathering of Thousand Talents' also joined the visit.