MSAR Chief Executive Chui Sai On held a meeting in Macao last month with the Governor of Hainan Province, Mr Liu Cigui, in the hope of expanding co-operation in the fields of tourism, culture and trade.

The two places are both in the process of establishing their respective development goals; namely, Hainan as an International Tourism Island and Macao as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Hainan and Macao could each serve as a reference point for the other in terms of development, said Mr Chui. With the launch last year of a regular direct air service between the two jurisdictions, these links could further tourism development, boost social exchanges and help trade, said Mr Chui.

Mr Liu said this meeting facilitated opportunities to improve trading and tourism co-operation between Hainan and Macao. With a direct air service between the two places, Hainan and Macao could work together to develop a greater number of two-destination holiday tours for travellers from around the world.